Neuroart in Headache: visualizing the migraine experience through patient expression

Vollständiger Abstract

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IntroductionMigraine is a highly prevalent neurological disorder affecting individuals across all ages, often characterized by recurrent attacks of severe headache and associated symptoms that profoundly impact quality of life. Beyond clinical descriptions, the subjective experience of migraine remains difficult to convey. Years ago, we introduced a section entitled Neuroart in Headache to capture artistic expressions of patients and individuals engaged in the arts, illustrating how migraine is perceived and lived. Artistic depictions—found in literature, cinema, theater, and visual arts—frequently use headache as both a literal and metaphorical representation of suffering.ObjectiveTo present artistic representations of migraine created by patients and discuss their potential contribution to understanding the lived experience of the disease.MethodsEighteen patients with headache disorders were invited to illustrate their experience of pain through freehand drawings during the celebration of 20 years of physiotherapy in headache management. Clinical diagnoses were established according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3). The drawings were analyzed using a narrative descriptive approach and are presented as 18 illustrative images depicting different dimensions of headache.ResultsThe drawings revealed recurring representations of progressive pain, pressure, pulsation, visual aura, emotional distress, sadness, disability, and the impact of headache on daily activities. Although each illustration reflected an individual experience, common themes emerged across patients, highlighting the multidimensional sensory, cognitive, emotional, and functional burden of headache disorders.ConclusionNeuroart emerges as a valuable complementary tool for understanding headache disorders by bridging the gap between clinical observation and patients' lived experiences. Artistic expression provides unique insights into the invisible burden of migraine and may contribute to more empathetic communication and patient-centered care.