DHI Scoring Explained
A comprehensive guide to understanding how the Dizziness Handicap Inventory is scored, what the numbers mean, and how to interpret your results for better communication with healthcare providers.
Basic Scoring Methodology
Response Values
Total Score Calculation
The total DHI score is calculated by adding up all individual question scores:
Total Score = Σ (Question 1 + Question 2 + ... + Question 25)
Range: 0-100 points
With 25 questions and a maximum of 4 points per question, the highest possible score is 100.
DHI Subscale Scoring
The DHI consists of three subscales that measure different aspects of how dizziness affects your life. Each subscale contains specific questions and has its own maximum score.
Measures how dizziness affects physical movements and activities.
Questions Include:
- • Question 1: Looking up
- • Question 4: Walking in supermarket
- • Question 7: Reading
- • Question 11: Quick head movements
- • Question 13: Turning over in bed
- • Question 17: Walking on sidewalk
- • Question 25: Bending over
Physical Score = Sum of questions 1,4,7,11,13,17,25
Assesses the emotional and psychological impact of dizziness.
Questions Include:
- • Question 2: Feeling frustrated
- • Question 6: Social activities
- • Question 9: Afraid to leave home
- • Question 10: Feeling embarrassed
- • Question 15: Thinking you're intoxicated
- • Question 16: Walking alone
- • Question 18: Concentrating
- • Question 21: Feeling handicapped
- • Question 23: Feeling depressed
Emotional Score = Sum of questions 2,6,9,10,15,16,18,21,23
Evaluates how dizziness impacts daily tasks and functional abilities.
Questions Include:
- • Question 3: Travel restrictions
- • Question 5: Getting in/out of bed
- • Question 8: Ambitious activities
- • Question 12: Avoiding heights
- • Question 14: Strenuous housework
- • Question 19: Walking in dark
- • Question 20: Staying home alone
- • Question 22: Family relationships
- • Question 24: Job responsibilities
Functional Score = Sum of questions 3,5,8,12,14,19,20,22,24
Score Interpretation Examples
Subscale Breakdown:
- • Physical: 8/28 (29%)
- • Emotional: 4/36 (11%)
- • Functional: 6/36 (17%)
Interpretation:
This patient experiences primarily physical symptoms with minimal emotional or functional impact. Symptoms are manageable and don't significantly interfere with daily life.
Subscale Breakdown:
- • Physical: 16/28 (57%)
- • Emotional: 18/36 (50%)
- • Functional: 14/36 (39%)
Interpretation:
This patient shows balanced impact across all domains, with slightly higher physical and emotional scores. Indicates need for comprehensive treatment addressing multiple aspects.
Subscale Breakdown:
- • Physical: 24/28 (86%)
- • Emotional: 28/36 (78%)
- • Functional: 24/36 (67%)
Interpretation:
This patient experiences severe impact across all domains, with particularly high physical and emotional scores. Requires intensive, multidisciplinary treatment approach.
Clinical Significance and Usage
Research suggests that a change of 18 points or more in the total DHI score represents a clinically meaningful improvement or worsening.
- Targeted Treatment: High physical scores may indicate need for vestibular rehabilitation
- Psychological Support: High emotional scores suggest counseling may be beneficial
- Functional Training: High functional scores indicate need for activity modification training
- Progress Tracking: Monitor improvement in specific domains over time
Using Your DHI Results
For Patients
- • Track your symptoms over time
- • Communicate severity to healthcare providers
- • Monitor treatment effectiveness
- • Identify which areas affect you most
- • Set realistic treatment goals
For Healthcare Providers
- • Assess baseline severity
- • Design targeted treatment plans
- • Monitor treatment outcomes
- • Identify patients needing additional support
- • Document functional improvement
Ready to Calculate Your DHI Score?
Now that you understand how DHI scoring works, take the assessment to get your personalized results and interpretation.
Take DHI Assessment