Perceived fear and exercise difficulty in patients with migraine and their association with psychosocial factors: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Although pharmacological treatments for migraine have advanced, non-pharmacological approaches, such as exercise, offer additional benefits. However, many patients avoid physical activity due to fear of symptom exacerbation. This study aims to identify the most threatening and difficult exercises for patients with migraine and examine the relationship between exercise perceptions and factors such as physical activity levels, kinesiophobia, catastrophizing, and self-efficacy. Methods: This cross-sectional study explored the perceived fear and difficulty of nine exercises shown Results: A total of 110 patients with migraine participated (88% women), with a mean age of 36 years. Chronic migraine was reported by 53% of participants. Significant differences in perceived fear and difficulty were observed across the nine exercises ( Conclusion: Jumping, running, and spine extension were perceived as the most aversive exercises. Perceived fear and difficulty levels were associated with physical activity levels and fear avoidance beliefs, emphasizing the need to assess these factors before implementing therapeutic exercise interventions.