Turkish Validity and Reliability of The Helkimo Index for Diagnosis of Temporomandibular Disorders

Summary

Helkimo Index evaluates movement, joint function, pain and musculature, providing a quick general overview that could be very useful at different levels of care. The aim of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Helkimo index. Registration of subjective symptoms applying for the Helkimo Index required a questionnaire-based survey. Questionnaire comprised two parts: Anamnestic component which includes answers to questions in "yes" or "no". Clinical dysfunction part comprised clinical examination. Method: Turkish translation of Helkimo index will be made. The sample will consist of 100 subjects, 50 TMD patients and 50 healthy controls. the patients will be selected, demographic data were recorded: age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), educational level, work situation, smoking status, alcoholic habits and physical activity. Helkimo Index is comprised of five items, with each assessment having three possible answers, scored as 0, 1 or 5. The first item is related to the limitation in the range of jaw movement. The second item evaluates the alterations of joint function that produce deviations, sounds and/or joint locks or blockages; the third item evaluates the presence of pain when performing some movements; the fourth item evaluates muscular pain in the masticatory muscles; and the fifth item evaluates the presence of discomfort or pain in the prearticular area of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) through palpation. From the sum of the 5 items, we identify no TMJ involvement if the score is 0, mild TMJ involvement when the score ranges from 1 to 9, moderate TMJ involvement if the score ranges between 10 and 19 and severe TMJ involvement for a score between 20 and 25. The Numerical Pain-Rating Scale (NPRS) test, disability, the Neck Disability Index test, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) will be assessed. Correlation will be made between the Helkimo index and these rating scales.

Conditions

• Temporomandibular Disorder

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Helkimo Index

Helkimo Index is comprised of five items, with each assessment having three possible answers, scored as 0, 1 or 5. The first item is related to the limitation in the range of jaw movement. The second item evaluates the alterations of joint function that produce deviations, sounds and/or joint locks or blockages; the third item evaluates the presence of pain when performing some movements; the fourth item evaluates muscular pain in the masticatory muscles; and the fifth item evaluates the presence of discomfort or pain in the prearticular area of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) through palpation. From the sum of the 5 items, we identify no TMJ involvement if the score is 0, mild TMJ involvement when the score ranges from 1 to 9, moderate TMJ involvement if the score ranges between 10 and 19 and severe TMJ involvement for a score between 20 and 25.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yeditepe University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Elif Tugce Cil, PhD · Yeditepe University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-03-15

Primary Completion

2023-05-15

Completion

2023-05-26