Affiliation:
1. Department of Psychology Johannes Gutenberg‐University of Mainz Mainz Germany
2. Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Yeshiva University Bronx New York USA
3. Headache Center Frankfurt Frankfurt Germany
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveThis study is part of the ODIN‐migraine (Optimization of Diagnostic Instruments in migraine) project. It is a secondary, a priori analysis of previously collected data, and aimed to assess the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Cogniphobia Scale for Headache Disorders (CS‐HD). We aimed to construct a German‐language version and a short version.BackgroundCogniphobia is the fear and avoidance of cognitive exertion, which the patient believes triggers or exacerbates headache. High cogniphobia may worsen the course of a headache disorder.MethodsThe 15‐item CS‐HD was translated into German and back translated in a masked form by a professional translator. Modifications were discussed and carried out in an expert panel. A cross‐sectional online survey including the CS‐HD and further self‐report questionnaires was conducted in a sample of N = 387 persons with migraine (364/387 [94.1%] female, M = 41.0 [SD = 13.0] years, migraine without aura: 152/387 [39.3%], migraine with aura: 85/387 [22.0%], and chronic migraine: 150/387 [38.8%]).ResultsExploratory factor analysis resulted in two clearly interpretable factors (interictal and ictal cogniphobia). Confirmatory factor analysis yielded an acceptable to good model fit (χ2(89) = 117.87, p = 0.022, χ2/df = 1.32, RMSEA = 0.029, SRMR = 0.055, CFI = 0.996, TLI = 0.995). Item response theory‐based analysis resulted in the selection of six items for the short form (CS‐HD‐6). Reliability was acceptable to excellent (interictal cogniphobia subscale: ω = 0.92 [CS‐HD] or ω = 0.77 [CS‐HD‐6]; ictal cogniphobia subscale: ω = 0.77 [CS‐HD] or ω = 0.73 [CS‐HD‐6]). The pattern of correlations with established questionnaires confirmed convergent validity of both the CS‐HD and the CS‐HD‐6.ConclusionBoth the CS‐HD and the CS‐HD‐6 have good psychometric properties and are suitable for the assessment of cogniphobia in migraine.