Poor creativity in interictal migraine: A case–control pilot study

Abstract

Background/Hypothesis: Creativity is a cognitive process that affects the performance of many daily life activities. This process, in turn, is influenced not only by various environmental factors but also by numerous individual aspects. Chronic pain is one of the factors that has proven to negatively affect creativity. Our hypothesis is that people with migraine in the interictal phase also have lower levels of creativity than the control group. Methods: We collected data from participants with migraine ( n = 31) in the interictal phase and from a non-migraine control group ( n = 30). We used the Alternative Uses Task (AUT) test and the Creative Intelligence Test (CREA) to evaluate creativity. Results: Our results revealed lower creativity in participants with migraine. This was confirmed by both the AUT (fluency: controls 7.4 (4.35) vs. participants with migraine 4.4 (2.9); p < 0.001; originality: controls 2.353 (0.457) vs. participants with migraine 2.07 (0.278); p < 0.001; flexibility: controls 3.4 (1.55) vs. participants with migraine 2.0 (1.0); p < 0.001) and CREA (controls 14.0 (9.875) vs. participants with migraine 9.5 (5.0); p = 0.004) tests. Interpretation: The present pilot study provides evidence that migraine, even in the interictal period, reduces creative ideation and this may impact the quality of life of these individuals.