Consensus Definition of Misophonia: A Delphi Study

Authors

Susan E. Swedo, PANDAS Physicians Network
David M. Baguley, University of Nottingham Medical School
Damiaan Denys, Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam
Laura J. Dixon, University of Mississippi
Mercede Erfanian, The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment
Alessandra Fioretti, European Hospital
Pawel J. Jastreboff, Jastreboff Hearing Disorders Foundation
Sukhbinder Kumar, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Faculty of Medical Sciences
M. Zachary Rosenthal, Duke University Medical Center
Romke Rouw, Universiteit van Amsterdam
Daniela Schiller, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Julia Simner, University of Sussex
Eric A. Storch, Baylor College of Medicine
Steven Taylor, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine
Kathy R. Vander Werff, Syracuse University
Cara M. Altimus, Milken Institute
Sylvina M. Raver, Milken Institute

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-17-2022

Abstract

Misophonia is a disorder of decreased tolerance to specific sounds or their associated stimuli that has been characterized using different language and methodologies. The absence of a common understanding or foundational definition of misophonia hinders progress in research to understand the disorder and develop effective treatments for individuals suffering from misophonia. From June 2020 through January 2021, the authors conducted a study to determine whether a committee of experts with diverse expertise related to misophonia could develop a consensus definition of misophonia. An expert committee used a modified Delphi method to evaluate candidate definitional statements that were identified through a systematic review of the published literature. Over four rounds of iterative voting, revision, and exclusion, the committee made decisions to include, exclude, or revise these statements in the definition based on the currently available scientific and clinical evidence. A definitional statement was included in the final definition only after reaching consensus at 80% or more of the committee agreeing with its premise and phrasing. The results of this rigorous consensus-building process were compiled into a final definition of misophonia that is presented here. This definition will serve as an important step to bring cohesion to the growing field of researchers and clinicians who seek to better understand and support individuals experiencing misophonia.

Relational Format

journal article

Recommended Citation

Swedo, S. E., Baguley, D. M., Denys, D., Dixon, L. J., Erfanian, M., Fioretti, A., Jastreboff, P. J., Kumar, S., Rosenthal, M. Z., Rouw, R., Schiller, D., Simner, J., Storch, E. A., Taylor, S., Werff, K. R. V., Altimus, C. M., & Raver, S. M. (2022). Consensus definition of misophonia: A delphi study. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16, 841816. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.841816

DOI

10.3389/fnins.2022.841816

Accessibility Status

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