Kiel, March 5, 2025 - A current study from the Pain Clinic Kiel shows that the changeover to summer time in the spring is associated with a significant increase in migraine attacks, while the return to normal time in autumn leads to a reduction in headache frequency.

In the study, the migraine courses of 258 patients with episodic or chronic migraines were evaluated in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The results show that the frequency of migraine attacks increases by 6.4 % a week after the time change in spring. In autumn, on the other hand, migraine frequency fell by 5.5 %a week after returning to normal time. The increase in migraine attacks on assembly after the time change in spring and the decrease on Sundays after the changeover in autumn was particularly striking.

The researchers attribute these effects to a disturbed synchronization of the biological rhythm. "Our results indicate that the change to summer time delays the adaptation of the internal clock, while the return to the standard time in autumn restores synchronization with the natural lighting conditions," explains Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel. "This disturbance of the biological rhythm can have serious effects on the well -being of people with migraines."

Since migraines are one of the most common neurological diseases and has significant health and social effects, the study results underline the importance of the current debate about a possible abolition of the time change. "Our research provides new arguments for a stable time regulation in order to minimize health burdens from the time change," emphasizes Prof. Göbel.

Source:

The complete study was published on 5.3.2025 in the journal Neurology International and can be called up under the following URL:

https://www.mdpi.com/2035-8377/17/3/40

Göbel, Carl H., Katja Heinze-Kuhn, Axel Heinze, Anna Cirkel, and Hartmut Göbel. 2025. “The Impact of Biseasonal Time Changes on Migraine” Neurology International 17, No. 3: 40