Burnout and headache chronification: the impact of occupational stress on migraine among healthcare professionals
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Introduction Headache disorders are among the most prevalent and disabling neurological conditions worldwide, imposing substantial functional, emotional, and occupational burden. Healthcare professionals exposed to chronic occupational stress, sleep deprivation, and excessive workloads appear to be at increased risk for migraine and recurrent headache disorders. Objective To investigate the association between professional burnout and headache disorders, particularly migraine, among healthcare workers. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted using studies retrieved from the PubMed database through the following search strategy: (“Burnout, Professional” OR burnout) AND (“headache” [Title/Abstract] OR “Migraine Disorders” [Title/Abstract]) AND (“doctors” OR “nurses” OR “healthcare workers”), yielding 14 initial articles. The research question was structured according to the PICO framework, considering: population (healthcare professionals), exposure (occupational burnout), comparison (professionals without burnout), and outcomes (headache and migraine occurrence or worsening). Studies published between 2021 and 2026, available in full text and written in English, were included, while duplicate studies were excluded. After eligibility assessment, 7 studies were selected for full-text analysis. Results The analyzed studies demonstrated a significant association between professional burnout, occupational fatigue, and increased frequency of headache disorders among healthcare workers. Excessive workloads, sleep deprivation, and multiple employment relationships were consistently associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion and somatic symptoms, particularly headache and insomnia. A cross-sectional study involving nurses identified a significant association between employment at multiple institutions and headache occurrence (p=0.038), in addition to higher burnout and fatigue levels among professionals exposed to prolonged work shifts. Intensive care unit professionals also exhibited moderate to high levels of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and alarm fatigue, factors associated with poorer professional quality of life and greater psychological distress. Furthermore, chronic stress-related neurobiological alterations, including persistent cortisol elevation and nociceptive pathway sensitization, were identified as potential mechanisms contributing to migraine chronification and functional impairment. Conclusion Professional burnout is strongly associated with increased frequency and worsening of headache disorders, particularly migraine, potentially acting as both a triggering and perpetuating factor. Extended work shifts, chronic fatigue, sleep deprivation, and emotional stress may contribute to central sensitization and reduced quality of life. Early identification of burnout and implementation of mental health promotion strategies may help prevent headache chronification and mitigate its functional impact.
Authors: Beatriz Mascarenhas Nunes, Ellen Fernanda Lima de Souza, Ádila Fernanda Pereira Martins, Giselle de Carvalho Neder, Felipe Vilanova de França Santana, Vitória Petri Rosa Santos Silva, Júlia Batista Andrade Barreto, Giovana Oliveira Nascimento, Emilly Santos de Oliveira, Danna Eduarda Macêdo Oliveira, Ana Júlia Britto Bomfim, Lara Marina Correia Lima, Maria Clara Gama Carregosa, Ana Marcela Ribeiro Rodrigues, Renan Guedes de Brito
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7217375313