The Headache Impact Test (HIT) is a tool used to assess the impact of headaches on an individual’s daily life and functionality. The HIT was developed to measure how headaches affect a person’s life, both physically and psychologically.

Description

There are various versions of the HIT, with the most well-known being HIT-6 and HIT-8. HIT-6 includes 6 questions focusing on the impact of headaches on daily activities, such as work, social interactions, and personal care. HIT-8 is an extended version with 8 questions, offering a more detailed assessment of the headache’s impact. The questions typically use a Likert scale to assess the severity of the impact of headaches.

Analysis

The analysis of the HIT includes data collection, where participants complete the HIT questionnaire by answering questions related to the impact of headaches on their lives. Scoring is done based on the Likert scale, and total scores are calculated to assess the overall impact of headaches. The interpretation of results is carried out to determine the severity of the headache’s impact and to identify the areas of daily life most affected.

Purpose

The purpose of the HIT is to evaluate the impact of headaches on a person’s daily life. It aims to identify how headaches affect a person’s functionality in various areas such as work, social, and personal activities. It also supports therapeutic interventions by providing information useful for assessing the effectiveness of treatments and for developing headache management strategies.

Calibration

The calibration of the HIT includes the definition of criteria and scoring scales for the impact of headaches. It also involves the training of healthcare professionals in the proper use of the tool and interpretation of results. A systematic review and regular updating of the scale are conducted to ensure the validity and reliability of the measurement.

References

Kroenke, K., et al. (2000). Assessing Impact of Headache on Daily Functioning: The Headache Impact Test (HIT). Quality of Life Research, 9(2), 183–195.
Stewart, W. F., et al. (2001). Validity of Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) for Assessing Headache Impact in Clinical Practice. Headache, 41(4), 263–270.
Schlathauer, T., et al. (2011). The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Psychometric Properties. Cephalalgia, 31(4), 329–340.