Translation and validation study of Malay version of dizziness handicap inventory (MYDHI)

Several outcome measures are in use for dizzy patient to assess change of symptoms, balance performance and disabling effects of dizziness on everyday life. However, yet none of these questionnaires exist in validated Malay version, except for Malay Version of Vertigo Symptoms Scale (MVVSS). Therefore, researcher decided to translate and validate the Malay version of Dizziness Handicap Inventory (myDHI) for use in Malay speaking population. This is a cross sectional design study and it was done to perform translation and validation of the myDHI. In this study, 15 non-dizzy subjects were recruited for validation phase and 14 patients with dizziness (associated with vestibular disorder), aged between 18 and 60 years old was recruited for reliability test. The internal consistency of myDHI was estimated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α). Standard translation process (forward and backward) was done and it was successful. Validation process consist of two which are content validity and face validity and it showed that myDHI has good content and face validity. At the reliability test, 14 patients filled out the myDHI within the time provided. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science, SPSS version 21 for reliability test using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The myDHI showed acceptable value of internal consistency. As a conclusion, the myDHI demonstrated good validity, acceptable reliability and is recommended as a measure of disability in patients with dizziness and unsteadiness.