Digital screen exposure linked to 60% higher odds of migraine or headache

Ten studies with quantifiable odds ratios were pooled: higher screen exposure was associated with significantly greater odds of migraine or headache (pooled OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.38–1.86), meaning approximately 60% higher odds compared to lower screen exposure. The association was directionally consistent in both adults (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.43–2.44) and adolescents/children (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.24–1.72), and remained robust when any single study was removed. Beyond the primary outcome, screen exposure was consistently linked with sleep disturbance (18 of 22 studies), reduced quality of life (20 of 22), visual discomfort (14 of 22), musculoskeletal symptoms (11 of 22), and psychiatric comorbidity (13 of 22). The proposed biological mechanisms converged on three pathways: blue light-mediated activation of retinal ganglion cells, melatonin suppression and circadian rhythm disruption, and trigeminovascular or cortical hyperexcitability. However, the certainty of evidence was rated as low, primarily because almost all included studies were cross-sectional with self-reported screen exposure, raising concerns about residual confounding and possible publication bias; Egger's test also suggested small-study effects.

The meta-analysis pooled ten studies reporting odds ratios, representing 11,218 participants, and found moderate heterogeneity (I² = 60%), indicating variability in study design and population. The 95% prediction interval of 1.03–2.48 suggests that in some settings the association might be weaker or stronger. Two clinic-based studies found no significant difference in headache frequency by smartphone use, highlighting inconsistency even within the literature. The proposed mechanisms—particularly melatonin suppression and circadian disruption from evening blue light exposure—align with known migraine triggers like sleep loss and irregular sleep timing, though direct causal evidence remains absent. The association was stronger in adults than in younger age groups, possibly reflecting cumulative exposure or differences in screen use patterns. Because exposure measurement relied entirely on self-report and cross-sectional designs, reverse causation (people with migraine avoiding screens) and unmeasured confounding (stress, posture, prior sleep debt) cannot be ruled out.