HEADACHE DISABILITY INDEX
SCORES ________ E ____ F ____
(100)
NAME _____________________________________________
Please mark the correct response:
I have a headache…
My headaches typically are…
(52)
(48)
DATE __________ AGE _____
1x per month
2-4x per month
Mild
Moderate
More than 1x per week
Severe
The purpose of the scale is to identify difficulties that you may be experiencing because of your
headache . Please check-off “Yes”, “Sometimes”, or “No” to each item. Answer each question as it
pertains to your headache, only.
Yes
E1
Because of my headaches I feel handicapped.
F2
E3
Because of my headaches I feel restricted in performing routine daily
activities.
No one understands the effect my headaches have on my life.
F4
I restrict recreational activities (sports, hobbies) because of headaches.
E5
My headaches make me angry.
E6
Sometimes I feel I am going to lose control because of my headaches.
F7
Because of my headaches, I am less likely to socialize.
E8
My spouse (significant other) or family and friends have no idea what
I’m going through because of my headaches.
E9
My headaches are so bad that I think I am going to go insane.
E10
My outlook on the world is affected by my headaches.
E11
I am afraid to go outside when I feel that a headache is starting.
E12
I feel desperate because of my headaches.
F13
I am concerned that I am paying penalties at work or at home
because of my headaches.
E14
My headaches place stress on my relationships with family or friends.
F15
I avoid being around people when I have a headache.
F16
I believe my headaches make it difficult to achieve my goals in life.
F17
I am unable to think clearly because of my headaches.
F18
I get tense (muscle tension) because of my headaches.
F19
I do not enjoy social gatherings because of my headaches.
E20
I feel irritable because of my headaches.
F21
I avoid travelling because of my headaches.
E22
My headaches make me feel confused.
E23
My headaches make me feel frustrated.
F24
I find it difficult to read because of my headaches
F25
I find it difficult to focus my attention away from my headaches
and on other things.
Sometimes
Jackson GP, Ramadan NM, et al. The Henry Ford Hospital headache disability inventory (HDI). Neurology 1994; 44:837-842
No
Special Notes | Headache Disability Index | HDI
Yeomans, S; The Clinical Application of Outcome Assessment,
Condition-Specific Outcome Assessment Tools; 7(79); Appleton & Lang, Stamford CT, 2000.
1. Use HDI as a stand-alone outcome assessment tool (OAT), or in conjunction
with the Neck Disability Index (NDI) outcome assessment tool.
2. Originally HDI consisted of 40 questions, but has been reduced to 25
questions.
3. HDI has two subscales consisting of 12 emotional (E) questions and 13
functional (F) questions. Question type is identified on HDI form next to
each number.
4. Scoring HDI
Yes = 4 points
5. Total Score
Potential 100 points
6. Jacobson et al; 1994
Reports Ave. Scores
Sometimes = 2 points
Subscale F
Potential 52 points
Mild 32.33
No = 0 points
Subscale E
Potential 48 points
Moderate 33.72
Severe 60.73
7. Calculate total score and then F & E subscales as a percentage of total score.
For example: Total Score = 78; F = 32 or 24.96%; E = 29 or 22.62%
8. Initial score should be above 29 points for HDI to be considered a reliable
OAT to evaluate positive effects of treatment.