Comparing subjective and objective measures of headgear compliance.
BACKGROUND
Many studies have used subjective measures to examine patient compliance during orthodontic treatment. Objective measurement of compliance has been confined to only a few studies that used electronic timing devices built into removable appliances. Our aim in this study was to compare subjective and objective methods of measuring compliance with headgear wear. It was hypothesized that orthodontists, patients, and patients' parents overestimate compliance and report more wearing hours than the headgear timers indicate. Also, relationships between sex, age, treatment time, and headgear compliance were explored.


METHODS
A headgear timer device and 3 questionnaires were developed to assess compliance. The subjects were unaware that their headgear use was being measured.


RESULTS
Significant differences between the estimates of orthodontists, patients, parents, and headgear timer scores were found. Also, there were differences regarding age and treatment time.


CONCLUSIONS
Subjective measures might result in overestimation of compliance. This suggests that the use of an objective instrument to measure headgear compliance should be continued in future studies.
Bos
Annemieke
A
Department of Social Dentistry and Behaviorial Sciences and Department of Orthodontics, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Kleverlaan
Cornelis J
CJ
Hoogstraten
Johan
J
Prahl-Andersen
Birte
B
Kuitert
Rein
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D017050:Episode of Care; D005115:Extraoral Traction Appliances; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013995:Time; D013998:Time Perception