PURPOSE: To create a questionnaire focused on the primary activities impaired by tinnitus and therefore more sensitive to treatments. METHOD: Questions were developed on (a) emotions, (b) hearing, (c) sleep, and (d) concentration. A 20-item questionnaire was administered to 158 patients. First, confirmatory factor analysis was used to select 3 questions per domain. Second, factor analysis was used to evaluate the appropriateness of the 12-item questionnaire. RESULTS: The analysis indicated that the selected questions successfully represented 4 independent domains. Scores were correlated with the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire ( r = .77, p < .01) and loudness ( r = .40, p < .01). The Sleep subscale correlated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Index ( r = .68, p < .01); the Emotion subscale correlated with the Beck Inventory ( r = .66, p < .01) and the Trait Anxiety questionnaire ( r = .67, p < .01). The average scores went from 51% to 38% following treatment. CONCLUSION: The Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire is valid, reliable, and sensitive and can be used to determine the efficacy of clinical trials.
PURPOSE: To create a questionnaire focused on the primary activities impaired by tinnitus and therefore more sensitive to treatments. METHOD: Questions were developed on (a) emotions, (b) hearing, (c) sleep, and (d) concentration. A 20-item questionnaire was administered to 158 patients. First, confirmatory factor analysis was used to select 3 questions per domain. Second, factor analysis was used to evaluate the appropriateness of the 12-item questionnaire. RESULTS: The analysis indicated that the selected questions successfully represented 4 independent domains. Scores were correlated with the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire ( r = .77, p < .01) and loudness ( r = .40, p < .01). The Sleep subscale correlated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Index ( r = .68, p < .01); the Emotion subscale correlated with the Beck Inventory ( r = .66, p < .01) and the Trait Anxiety questionnaire ( r = .67, p < .01). The average scores went from 51% to 38% following treatment. CONCLUSION: The Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire is valid, reliable, and sensitive and can be used to determine the efficacy of clinical trials.
Authors: Deborah Ann Hall; Kathryn Fackrell; Anne Beatrice Li; Rachel Thavayogan; Sandra Smith; Veronica Kennedy; Catarina Tinoco; Evelina D Rodrigues; Paula Campelo; Tânia D Martins; Vera Martins Lourenço; Diogo Ribeiro; Haúla F Haider Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2018-04-11 Impact factor: 3.186