Migraine headache is a severe and debilitating disease that is estimated to affect 4 out of 100 Americans. The nature of migraine attacks and the variability in their occurrence have substantial economic implications. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project is to develop a multi-item, task-based instrument to measure the impact of migraine on several domains. The domains include workplace productivity, housekeeping, and impact on leisure activities. METHODS: An extensive review of the literature was performed to determine methods of assessing migraine related productivity. Current instruments used in the measurement of disease related productivity were reviewed for content. Focus groups were held to determine important productivity related issues to migraineurs. The groups consisted of migraineurs (N=12) recruited by a research organization and screened with an instrument based on criteria from the Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. The focus group meetings consisted of scripted questions that were both directed and open-ended. The questions addressed issues relevant to the domains of interest and how they are impacted by migraines. RESULTS: The information acquired in the focus groups was used to develop an 81 item questionnaire with four open-ended questions and 77 directed questions. The directed questions are scored on a Likert-type scale ranging from “never when I have a migraine” to “every time I have a migraine.” The content of the instrument ranges from missing work to taking longer breaks or missing deadlines. CONCLUSION: A first-line instrument was developed to assess migraine related productivity. The instrument will next be tested for validity and analyzed for item reduction.