German translation, transcultural adaptation and test-retest reliability of the headache screening questionnaire

Tension-type headache (TTH) and migraines are frequent headache types. For appropriate treatment, physiotherapists need to be able to recognize these two headache types. The Dutch Headache Screening Questionnaire (HSQ-DV) is the only screening questionnaire designed specifically for migraines and TTH, based on the latest International Classification of Headache Disorders and supporting evidence. The aim of this study is to translate the HSQ-DV into German and evaluate its test-retest reliability.

A cross-sectional and prospective cohort study was conducted to answer the research questions. The HSQ-DV was translated according to the COMSIN checklist for patient-reported outcome measurement instruments. Test-retest reliability was assessed with a retest after two weeks. Weighted kappa values, intraclass-correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard error of the measurements (SEMs) were calculated separately for migraines and THH, based on point scale ranging from 0 to 8.

The HSQ-DV was translated and culturally adapted into German. An introductory clarification was added to guide participants with multiple headaches, which headache type to consider. Sixty-one subjects were included in the reliability study. For migraine, the weighted kappa was 0.70 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.52 to 0.87), the ICC was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.71 to 0.91), and the SEM was 0.39 points. For TTH, the weighted kappa was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.57 to 0.90), the ICC was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.74 to 0.92), and the SEM was 0.29 points.

The HSQ-GV is a reliable screening questionnaire for migraines and TTH in physiotherapy settings, demonstrating substantial to nearly perfect reliability.