Measurement properties of headache-specific outcomes scales in adolescent athletes.

CONTEXT: Recurrent headaches significantly affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults; the impact of headache on HRQOL among adolescents is unknown, and the psychometric properties of headache-specific outcomes instruments have not been adequately studied in this population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment (PedMIDAS) in healthy adolescent athletes.

DESIGN: Descriptive survey.

SETTING: High school athletic training facilities during the fall sports season.

PARTICIPANTS: 177 high school athletes (89 males and 88 females).

INTERVENTIONS: A survey consisting of a demographic and concussion-history questionnaire, a graded symptom scale, the HIT-6, and the PedMIDAS. Internal consistency (α), test-retest reliability (r(s)), Bland-Altman analyses, and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate psychometric properties and age and gender differences.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The HIT-6 and PedMIDAS item and total scores.

RESULTS: Test-retest reliability for the HIT-6 total score was r(s) = .72, and reliability of individual items ranged from r(s) = .52 to .67. The test-retest reliability for the PedMIDAS total score was r(s) = .61, and reliability of individual items ranged from r(s) = .23 to .62. Both scales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency: HIT-6 α = .89-.90 and PedMIDAS α = .71-.75.

CONCLUSIONS: The authors found moderate test-retest reliability for the HIT-6 and the PedMIDAS in a healthy adolescent athlete population. Research on the applicability and utility of the HIT-6 and PedMIDAS in concussed adolescents is warranted.