Turkish Version of Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index

Turkish Adaptation, Validity, and Reliability of the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index

This study aimed to translate the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index (HCDI) into Turkish and to test its validity and reliability as an outcome measurement method in individuals with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). The study included 40 patients. Participants' pain intensity and range of jaw movement were measured, followed by the administration of the HDCI, the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI), and the Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ). For test-retest reliability, the same questionnaire was administered again to the same patients two weeks later, and the FAI was used to test the validity of the questionnaire.

Based on the idea of making the Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index (HCDI) available in Turkish, our study aimed to translate this scoring system into Turkish and to test its validity and reliability as an outcome measurement method in individuals with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). The study aimed to include 40 patients. Pain intensity during palpation and chewing was measured using a numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), and range of jaw movement was measured using a linear ruler. Participants were then administered the HCDI, the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI), and the Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ). To assess test-retest reliability, the same questionnaire was administered again to the same patients after two weeks. The FAI was used to test the validity of the questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being between 18 and 60 years of age and having been diagnosed with TMB,
• The person must be a volunteer to participate in the study,
• The native language must be Turkish.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a history of malignant conditions, trauma, or surgery in the cranial and cervical region,
• Inability to cooperate,
• Regular use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs,
• Having dentofacial anomalies,
• Having active inflammatory arthritis,
• Having metabolic diseases (gout, osteoporosis, Cushing's disease, and hyper/hypoparathyroidism),
• Having connective tissue, rheumatological (systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma), and hematological disorders (anemia and leukemia),
• Having a diagnosed psychiatric illness,
• Having received physical therapy related to TMB less than 6 months ago,
• Not being a native language of Turkish