Headgear compliance as assessed by a temperature-sensitive recording device: a prospective clinical study

To accurately describe compliance in headgear wearing time by using a temperature- and force-sensitive device over an 8 month period of use in a prospective clinical manner.

Twenty children with Class II malocclusion aged 8-12 years were randomly selected for treatment with cervical headgear. The headgears were equipped with an electronic module, which measured temperature and force, and patients were instructed to wear the headgear 12 hours daily. The recorded values were analysed to determine the number of days the headgear was used, the number of hours per day it was worn, and the percentage of compliance (100 per cent corresponding to 12 hours daily).

The average treatment period was 8.4 months with 5.8 months of effective use. When effectively used, headgear was worn 8.7 hours a day (compliance of 73 per cent). Including days where it was not worn, compliance was 6.4 hours (54 per cent). The appliance was used on average 0.5 hours during the day (8 am-8 pm) and 5.9 hours during the night (8 pm-8 am). Very low compliance was recorded during July and August.

The average compliance with cervical headgear use was 54 per cent of the 12 hour prescription. The headgear was effectively used only 5.8 months over the study period, with roughly 30 per cent of no use. Headgear was used almost exclusively during evening and night-time. During the summer period, compliance was particularly poor.