1. Objective
This study aimed to assessing the reliability of questionnaire for Japanese as one of method to diagnose Sasang Constitution and evaluating the possibility of applying domestic questionnaire to foreign site.
2. Methods
A cross-sectional survey approved by IRB (Independent Review Board) at Tohoku University was performed for 119 participants with informed consent at a particular city in Japan using self-reported questionnaires developed by KIOM (Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine). Among the entire samples, 112 were retested. The test-retest reliability was assessed by Kappa for normal variables and internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach’s alpha.
3. Result
Four of 77 questions are impossible to calculate consistency owing to unsymmetric matrix between primary reply and secondary one. Seventeen of them (22%) showed 0.4 or below in Kappa, 56 were ranged from 0.4 to 0.8 and no question marked 0.8 or over. Internal consistency was possibly checked for several questions about character, digestion, sweat, excrement, urine, cold-heat pattern. Cronbach’s alpha for questions except urine and cold-heat pattern was over 0.6
4. Conclusion
On the basis of Kappa value by two self reported questionnaire, 72.7% of questions showed 0.4 or over so that reliability were highly secured. And other questions except for urine and heat-cold pattern marked 0.6 or over in order that internal consistency was also successfully maintained. Accordingly, when subsequently applying KIOM questionnaire to foreign site, domestic questionnaire should be properly adjusted in social and cultural background, lifestyle, etc.
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