Nijmegen Questionnaire
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Objective[edit | edit source]
The Nijmegen Questionnaire (NQ) gives a broad view of symptoms associated with dysfunctional breathing patterns. The Nijmegen Questionnaire was introduced over 30 years ago as a screening tool to detect patients with hyperventilation complaints that could benefit from breathing regulation through capnographic feedback.
Intended Population[edit | edit source]
Mostly used for people with hyperventilation syndrome.
Method of Use[edit | edit source]
The NQ consists of 16 items to be answered on a five-point scale ranging from 'never' counted as zero to 'very often' counted as 4. The total score ranges from 0-64. Completion of the questionnaire only takes a few minutes.
A score of over 19 denotes the presence of respiratory distress and dysfunction. The higher the score, the more distress is present. Values below 20 are considered within the normal and functional domain.[1]
| Description | Never 0 |
Rarely 1 |
Sometimes 2 |
Often 3 |
Very Often 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEST PAIN | |||||
| FEELING TENSE | |||||
| BLURRED VISION | |||||
| DIZZY SPELLS | |||||
| FEELING CONFUSED | |||||
| FASTER OR DEEPER BREATHING | |||||
| SHORT OF BREATH | |||||
| TIGHT FEELING IN THE CHEST | |||||
| BLOATED FEELING IN STOMACH | |||||
| TINGLING FINGERS | |||||
| UNABLE TO BREATH DEEPLY | |||||
| STIFF FINGERS OR ARMS | |||||
| TIGHT FEELINGS ROUND MOUTH | |||||
| COLD HANDS OR FEET | |||||
| PALPITATIONS | |||||
| FEELING OF ANXIETY |
Evidence[edit | edit source]
162 Greek asthma outpatients (86 with mild and 76 with moderate asthma) participated in the study. Hyperventilation was assessed using NQ and clinical measures such as breath-holding time (BHT), respiratory rate (RR) and end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2). Construct validity was tested through factor analysis and cross-sectional validity through correlations of the NQ score with BHT, ETCO2 and RR (Pearson’s r correlation coefficient).
Validity[edit | edit source]
The sensitivity of the Nijmegen Questionnaire in relation to the clinical diagnosis was 91%, and the specificity 95%.[3] However, a 2020 study by Pauwen and colleagues found that in a primary care setting, the Nijmegen questionnaire might have lower predictive properties than anticipated.[4] Thus, the authors have suggested that the Hyperventilation Provocation Test is used to confirm a positive Nijmegen.[4]
Responsiveness[edit | edit source]
The advantage of the NQ is that it is short and responsive to treatment.[1] Thus, it can be used repeatedly throughout treatment to measure progress.
Links[edit | edit source]
Interactive online questionnaire
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Courtney, R. and Dixhoorn, J. Questionnaires and manual methods for assessing breathing dysfunction. Chapter 6.5 in: Chaitow, L., Bradley, D., and Gilbert, C. Recognizing and treating breathing disorders. 20014, Elsevier
- ↑ http://www.heartofengland.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/Nijmegen_Questionnaire.pdf
- ↑ van Dixhoorn J, Duivenvoorden HJ. Efficacy of Nijmegen Questionnaire in recognition of the hyperventilation syndrome. J Psychosom Res. 1985;29(2):199-206
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Pauwen N, Colot T, Boucharessas F, Sergysels R, Bertuit J, Ninane V et al. Validity of the Nijmegen questionnaire for screening hyperventilation syndrome in primary care. European Respiratory Journal. 2020;56(suppl 64):2697.
