The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) is a standardized self-assessment tool that quantifies the perceived impact of dizziness and unsteadiness on an individual’s daily life. It helps individuals and healthcare providers understand how these symptoms affect functional, emotional, and physical well-being.
Purpose and Clinical Application
The DHI serves as a valuable instrument for healthcare professionals in assessing and managing balance and vestibular disorders. Its purpose is to evaluate how dizziness interferes with an individual’s daily activities, social interactions, and emotional state. Clinicians use the DHI to understand difficulties with everyday tasks, feelings of anxiety or frustration, and limitations in physical movement due to dizziness.
This inventory aids in forming a comprehensive diagnostic picture, complementing objective clinical tests with subjective patient insights. The DHI supports tailored treatment plans, such as vestibular rehabilitation therapy, by identifying areas where dizziness causes significant impairment. Regular administration allows professionals to track patient progress, assessing intervention effectiveness and making adjustments. It is commonly applied in conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, and vestibular migraine to understand their functional implications.
Understanding the DHI Structure and Scoring
The Dizziness Handicap Inventory has 25 distinct questions exploring how dizziness influences an individual’s life. These questions are categorized into three subscales: Functional (F), Emotional (E), and Physical (P). The Functional subscale (9 questions) addresses limitations in daily activities like walking, driving, or social events. The Emotional subscale (9 questions) assesses feelings of frustration, fear, or depression related to dizziness. The Physical subscale (7 questions) explores movements or positions that provoke dizziness, such as bending over or turning the head.
For each question, respondents select “yes,” “sometimes,” or “no.” A “yes” response is 4 points, “sometimes” is 2 points, and “no” is 0 points. The total DHI score is calculated by summing points from all 25 questions across the three subscales. The maximum possible score achievable is 100 points, representing the highest perceived handicap due to dizziness.
Interpreting DHI Scores and Implications
Interpreting DHI scores involves understanding that a higher numerical score directly corresponds to a greater self-perceived handicap stemming from dizziness. These scores help categorize the severity of the impact on an individual’s life, guiding clinical decision-making. Generally, a total score between 0 and 30 points suggests a mild perceived handicap, indicating that dizziness has a relatively minor impact on daily activities.
Scores ranging from 31 to 60 points typically indicate a moderate perceived handicap, suggesting that dizziness significantly affects certain aspects of life, potentially leading to some activity limitations or emotional distress. A total score above 60 points signifies a severe perceived handicap, implying that dizziness profoundly interferes with an individual’s functional abilities, emotional well-being, and physical comfort. These classifications are not definitive diagnoses but provide a framework for healthcare providers to understand the patient’s subjective experience and tailor interventions, always interpreting scores within the broader context of a comprehensive clinical evaluation.
Accessing and Using the DHI
The Dizziness Handicap Inventory is a formally copyrighted clinical assessment tool, originally developed by Jacobson and Newman in 1990. Its appropriate administration and interpretation are typically performed by trained healthcare professionals, including audiologists, physical therapists, and neurologists, who specialize in balance and vestibular disorders. These professionals are equipped to integrate DHI scores with other diagnostic information to formulate an accurate understanding of a patient’s condition.
While an individual might encounter a PDF version of the DHI through online searches, it is important to recognize that this tool is not designed for self-diagnosis or unguided use. Attempting to interpret one’s own scores without professional oversight can lead to misinterpretations or an incomplete understanding of the underlying causes of dizziness. Individuals who believe the DHI could be beneficial for assessing their dizziness symptoms should consult a qualified healthcare provider. They can properly administer the inventory and provide a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate guidance.