Development and initial validation of a questionnaire to measure patient experience with oral appliance therapy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a questionnaire to measure patient experience with oral appliance therapy.

METHODS: The AMEE Guide No. 87 was followed in the development and validation of a patient questionnaire to assess patient experience with oral appliance therapy.

RESULTS: Our search identified 522 articles; five of these articles described the use and/or validation of questionnaires to measure changes in symptoms and patient reported outcomes in the treatment of OSA. A total of twenty seven questions were developed. Five patients participated in pilot testing. A final review of the questionnaire was conducted by an exert panel.

CONCLUSIONS: The creation and validation of a questionnaire to assess patient experience with oral appliance therapy may provide new methods for advancing research in the field of dental sleep medicine.