J Man Manip Ther. 2026 Feb 22:1-7. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2026.2632710. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To validate the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Mandibular Functional Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ) instruments for telephone applications in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD).
METHODS: This cross-sectional study invited participants with TMD to answer the NDI and MFIQ on two randomized occasions, face-to-face and by telephone, 5 to 7 days apart. The order of the assessments was randomized. The Student’s t-test was used to assess statistically significant differences between the scores obtained face-to-face and by telephone. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and weighted kappa were used to assess the level of agreement between the total scores and the scores for each item.
RESULTS: Seventy participants (18 men; mean age, 29 years; standard deviation, 12 years) were included. No statistically significant difference was found between the scores obtained using the two methods (face-to-face and telephone). Regarding the level of agreement of the total scores obtained on the two occasions, high ICCs were found: 0.97 NDI, NDI and 0.96 for the MFIQ. Considering the agreement for each item obtained in the two occasions, the NDI scores showed substantial agreement for nine items (0.55≥Kappa ≥0.79) and moderate agreement for one item (Kappa = 0.42), while in the MFIQ all the items showed substantial agreement (0.52≥Kappa ≥0.78).
CONCLUSION: Telephone-based administration of the NDI and MFIQ is valid for the assessment of individuals with TMD.
PMID:41723701 | DOI:10.1080/10669817.2026.2632710
