Outcome MeasureOther

HIT-6

Headache Impact Test

1 Paper in Blossom

About This Instrument

The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) is a 6-item self-report questionnaire measuring the adverse impact of headaches on social functioning, role functioning, vitality, cognitive functioning, and psychological distress. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (never to always), with total scores ranging from 36 to 78. Developed by a collaboration between QualityMetric and GlaxoSmithKline, the HIT-6 was derived from a larger 54-item bank using item response theory. It is used in psilocybin and LSD research for cluster headache and migraine, including studies at Yale University examining psilocybin’s effects on cluster headache frequency and severity. The HIT-6 captures headache burden beyond mere pain intensity, making it a comprehensive patient-centered outcome measure for headache disorders.

Clinical Thresholds

3678
Little/no impact
Score 36–49
Some impact
Score 50–55
Substantial
Score 56–59
Severe impact
Score 60–78

Outcome Data Across Studies

Reported results for HIT-6 across 1 study with quantitative data.

Outcome data across 4 study arm–timepoint observations
SD
Low-dose psilocybin in short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks: results from an open-label phase Ib ascending dose study
2024Secondary
Psilocybin(experimental)1467.0——
Low-dose psilocybin in short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks: results from an open-label phase Ib ascending dose study
2024Secondary
Psilocybin(experimental)6364.0——
Low-dose psilocybin in short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks: results from an open-label phase Ib ascending dose study
2024Secondary
Psilocybin(experimental)11362.3——
Low-dose psilocybin in short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks: results from an open-label phase Ib ascending dose study
2024Secondary
Psilocybin(experimental)16365.3——

Papers Using HIT-6

Open Accessindividual

Low-dose psilocybin in short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks: results from an open-label phase Ib ascending dose study

In an open-label phase Ib ascending-dose study terminated early after enrolling four patients (three completers), low-dose oral psilocybin with psychological support was well tolerated and induced strong subjective altered states and psychological insights, with two participants showing >50% reductions in attack frequency but overall limited effects on headache severity or duration. Cognition could not be assessed acutely due to high subjective dose intensity, and the small sample prevents any conclusive evidence for psilocybin in SUNHA, though the findings suggest psychological factors may be an important treatment target.

Published
Journal
Headache
Authors
Rucker, J., Butler, M., Hambleton, S., Bird, C., Seynaeve, M., Cheema, S., Campbell-Coker, K., Maggio, C., Dunbar, F., Lambru, G., Matharu, M.

Quick Facts

Full Name
Headache Impact Test
Domain
Other
Papers Indexed
1
Score Range
36–78
Interpretation
Lower = better
Unit
points
Reference
Visit
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