Online validation of DC/TMD Axis II questionnaires for assessing temporomandibular disorders

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the consistency and dependability of the online and traditional analog versions of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) Axis II Evaluation Questionnaires.

In a randomized manner, 100 participants completed the questionnaires in both traditional analog and online formats using Google Forms. Internal consistency was tested using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, with the criterion being >0.700. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied for the calculation of the analog-online test agreement levels. The mean differences between the online and analog questionnaires were used to calculate effect sizes (ES).

Cronbach's alpha coefficients of all scales exceeded 0.700, suggesting satisfactory internal consistency. The ICC values ranged between 0.950 (95% CI: 0.926-0.966) and 0.999 (95% CI: 0.999-0.999), suggesting strong agreement between formats. All the effect sizes fell within the small to medium range, congruently supporting consistency between methods.

The present findings indicate that the online version of the DC/TMD Axis II Evaluation Questionnaires can be a reliable instrument for evaluating symptoms in respect to temporomandibular disorders.