The Photo- and Phonosensitivity Avoidance Behavior Scales: Evaluating Clinical Utility in Pediatric Primary Chronic Headache

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Pediatric primary chronic headache disorders are often associated with sensitivities to light (photosensitivity) and sound (phonosensitivity) that may trigger or worsen headache pain. These sensory sensitivities may result in changes to activity participatio...

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Main Authors: Allison M. Smith, Megan N. Silvia, Hannah Rogan, Alyssa A. Lebel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/11/1338
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author Allison M. Smith
Megan N. Silvia
Hannah Rogan
Alyssa A. Lebel
author_facet Allison M. Smith
Megan N. Silvia
Hannah Rogan
Alyssa A. Lebel
author_sort Allison M. Smith
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Pediatric primary chronic headache disorders are often associated with sensitivities to light (photosensitivity) and sound (phonosensitivity) that may trigger or worsen headache pain. These sensory sensitivities may result in changes to activity participation or environmental modifications to avoid visual and auditory stimuli. Over time, avoidance behaviors can inadvertently increase functional disability, suggesting the importance of their thorough consideration. The PhotoSensitivity and PhonoSensitivity Avoidance Behavior Scales (PHOTO-SABS and PHONO-SABS, respectively) were recently developed and preliminarily validated to assist clinicians in evaluating such behaviors. This study aimed to confirm each of their factor structures in a new sample and enhance their clinical utility. <b>Methods</b>: A sample of 176 youth (aged 8–17) with a primary chronic headache diagnosis completed the PHOTO-SABS and PHONO-SABS as part of their multidisciplinary evaluation in a pediatric headache clinic. <b>Results</b>: Consistent with the previous validation, confirmatory factor analyses supported a two-factor model for the PHOTO-SABS and a single-factor model for the PHONO-SABS. Tertile groupings (low, moderate, high) provided the most appropriate clinical reference points. The relative change criterion (RCCrit) was established at 6.4 points for both measures. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings confirm that the PHOTO- and PHONO-SABS are psychometrically robust tools for clinicians to evaluate sensitivity-related avoidance behavior and to monitor response to interventions in youth with primary chronic headaches.
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spelling doaj-art-201d59b1866e469995cfc87b17ca5fc92025-08-20T02:28:04ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672024-10-011111133810.3390/children11111338The Photo- and Phonosensitivity Avoidance Behavior Scales: Evaluating Clinical Utility in Pediatric Primary Chronic HeadacheAllison M. Smith0Megan N. Silvia1Hannah Rogan2Alyssa A. Lebel3Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USASchool of Occupational Therapy, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Boston, MA 02215, USADivision of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USADivision of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Pediatric primary chronic headache disorders are often associated with sensitivities to light (photosensitivity) and sound (phonosensitivity) that may trigger or worsen headache pain. These sensory sensitivities may result in changes to activity participation or environmental modifications to avoid visual and auditory stimuli. Over time, avoidance behaviors can inadvertently increase functional disability, suggesting the importance of their thorough consideration. The PhotoSensitivity and PhonoSensitivity Avoidance Behavior Scales (PHOTO-SABS and PHONO-SABS, respectively) were recently developed and preliminarily validated to assist clinicians in evaluating such behaviors. This study aimed to confirm each of their factor structures in a new sample and enhance their clinical utility. <b>Methods</b>: A sample of 176 youth (aged 8–17) with a primary chronic headache diagnosis completed the PHOTO-SABS and PHONO-SABS as part of their multidisciplinary evaluation in a pediatric headache clinic. <b>Results</b>: Consistent with the previous validation, confirmatory factor analyses supported a two-factor model for the PHOTO-SABS and a single-factor model for the PHONO-SABS. Tertile groupings (low, moderate, high) provided the most appropriate clinical reference points. The relative change criterion (RCCrit) was established at 6.4 points for both measures. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings confirm that the PHOTO- and PHONO-SABS are psychometrically robust tools for clinicians to evaluate sensitivity-related avoidance behavior and to monitor response to interventions in youth with primary chronic headaches.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/11/1338primary chronic headachechronic painphonosensitivityavoidance
spellingShingle Allison M. Smith
Megan N. Silvia
Hannah Rogan
Alyssa A. Lebel
The Photo- and Phonosensitivity Avoidance Behavior Scales: Evaluating Clinical Utility in Pediatric Primary Chronic Headache
Children
primary chronic headache
chronic pain
phonosensitivity
avoidance
title The Photo- and Phonosensitivity Avoidance Behavior Scales: Evaluating Clinical Utility in Pediatric Primary Chronic Headache
title_full The Photo- and Phonosensitivity Avoidance Behavior Scales: Evaluating Clinical Utility in Pediatric Primary Chronic Headache
title_fullStr The Photo- and Phonosensitivity Avoidance Behavior Scales: Evaluating Clinical Utility in Pediatric Primary Chronic Headache
title_full_unstemmed The Photo- and Phonosensitivity Avoidance Behavior Scales: Evaluating Clinical Utility in Pediatric Primary Chronic Headache
title_short The Photo- and Phonosensitivity Avoidance Behavior Scales: Evaluating Clinical Utility in Pediatric Primary Chronic Headache
title_sort photo and phonosensitivity avoidance behavior scales evaluating clinical utility in pediatric primary chronic headache
topic primary chronic headache
chronic pain
phonosensitivity
avoidance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/11/1338
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