The Headache Triggers Sensitivity and Avoidance Questionnaire: Establishing the Psychometric Properties of the Questionnaire

Abstract

The findings support the use of the HTSAQ as a valid and reliable tool for assessing sensitivity to headache triggers and avoidance of headache triggers. Further research examining the factor structure of the HTSAQ is warranted.

Die Erfassung von Triggerempfindlichkeit und -vermeidung bei primären Kopfschmerzen: Entwicklung und psychometrische Erprobung einer deutschen Version des Headache Triggers Sensitivity and Avoidance Questionnaire (HTSAQ-G)

“…Das Ausmaß der Triggerempfindlichkeit und -vermeidung war außerdem negativ mit Schmerzakzeptanz korreliert. Dies deckt sich auch mit den Ergebnissen von Kubik und Martin [2017]. Eine geringe Akzeptanz der eigenen Kopfschmerzen könnte also dazu führen, dass man eher einen "Kampf" gegen mögliche Auslöser führt, somit versucht diese zu vermeiden und in Folge dessen immer sensibler auf bestimmte Trigger reagiert.…”

An Integrative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Adults With Migraine: A Feasibility Study

“…52 The CPAQ-D has 2 subscales ("activity engagement" and "pain willingness"), and comprises 20 items (eg, "My life is going well, even though I have chronic pain"). Internal consistency was high in a sample of headache sufferers (Cronbach's alpha = .84 in each subscale) 49 and in the German version (Cronbach's alpha > .80 in each subscale). 52 Electronic Diary for Recording Head aches and Medication Use.-During the treat ment, the participants were asked to keep a daily online e-diary over a 4-week period for recording their headaches and medication use.…”

“…Sensitivity to and avoidance of headache triggers was measured by the Headache Triggers Sensitivity and Avoidance Questionnaire (HTSAQ, German version: HTSAQ‐G) . Overall, 26 potential triggers (24 commonly identified triggers, eg, “noise,” and 2 triggers not listed before) are to be rated on 4 scales, each a 5‐point scale: (1) Triggers requires an answer to whether the named trigger is a trigger for the respondent’s headaches (from 1 = “never” to 5 = “always”); (2) Sensitivity to triggers compared with others , S(O), requires an answer to how sensitive the respondent is to the trigger compared with other persons (from 1 = “not at all sensitive” to 5 = “very highly sensitive”); (3) Sensitivity to triggers compared with time of least sensitivity , S(T), requires an answer to how sensitive the respondent is to the trigger compared with the time of least sensitivity (from 1 = “same” to 5 = “very much more sensitive”); and (4) Avoidance requires an answer to how hard the respondent tries to avoid the trigger (from 1 = “do not try at all to avoid” to 5 = “try to avoid at all costs”).…”

“…Internal consistency is high for all scales (Cronbach's alpha = .83 to .86). 49 Acceptance of chronic pain was measured by the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ, 51 German version: CPAQ-D). 52 The CPAQ-D has 2 subscales ("activity engagement" and "pain willingness"), and comprises 20 items (eg, "My life is going well, even though I have chronic pain").…”

Scientific abstracts and plain language summaries in psychology: A comparison based on readability indices

“…The SMOG is a readability index which is based on the proportion of words with three or more syllables. Beyond the context of PLS, the SMOG has been used to assess the readability of health information materials [17], educational materials [18], and psychometric instruments [19]. Besides the SMOG, various other readability indices exist, which quantify text characteristics related to reading comprehension.…”