Migraine Screen Questionnaire (MS-Q) Tool
Answer a short migraine screening questionnaire based on published MS-Q domains and prepare a doctor discussion summary.
Answer 5 short headache screening questions
This educational screener is based on published MS-Q domains and validation data. It does not diagnose migraine and may not reproduce the official questionnaire wording.
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What is the Migraine Screen Questionnaire?
The published Migraine Screen Questionnaire, or MS-Q, is a short screening instrument developed to identify people whose headache pattern may be consistent with migraine. This page uses MS-Q domains in plain language for educational screening only.
This tool is not a migraine diagnosis
A screening result can help organize symptoms for a clinician, but diagnosis depends on a full history, examination when needed, red flags, and clinical judgment.
How does migraine screening work?
Published MS-Q validation describes five yes/no domains: frequency and intensity, duration between about 4 hours and 3 days, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, and disability. A score of 4 or more was used as a possible migraine screening signal in validation studies.
MS-Q vs migraine diagnosis
A questionnaire can highlight a pattern, but it cannot rule in or rule out migraine by itself. Clinicians also consider recurrence, pain features, aura, medication use, secondary headache warning signs, and other headache disorders.
What to track after your result
Track headache dates, duration, severity, nausea, light or sound sensitivity, aura symptoms, medication response, and how headaches affect work, school, home, and social activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the official MS-Q questionnaire?
This is an educational MS-Q-informed screening tool based on published MS-Q domains and validation data. It may not reproduce the official questionnaire wording and cannot diagnose migraine.
What score suggests a positive migraine screening signal?
Published MS-Q validation studies used five yes/no items scored 0 or 1, with a score of 4 or more considered a possible migraine screening signal.
Can a low score rule out migraine?
No. A low screening score does not rule out migraine or another headache disorder, especially if symptoms are changing, disabling, or hard to describe.
What should I do after a positive screening result?
Track headache frequency, duration, symptoms, medication use, and disability, then discuss the pattern with a healthcare professional.
Why does the tool include red flags?
Warning signs such as sudden severe headache, new neurological symptoms, fever with stiff neck, head injury, or a very different pattern deserve prompt medical review regardless of screening score.
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References
1. Lainez MJA, et al. Development and validation of the Migraine Screen Questionnaire (MS-Q). PubMed.
2. Lainez MJ, et al. New uses of the Migraine Screen Questionnaire (MS-Q): validation in the Primary Care setting. BMC Neurology.
3. International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Migraine without aura. ICHD-3.
4. Mayo Clinic. Headache: when to see a doctor. Read Mayo Clinic guidance.