OBJECTIVES

To develop and evaluate the blood deficiency questionnaire(BDQ) which provide an effective clinical efficacy evaluation tool for patient self-evaluation.

METHODS

The theoretical framework and initial BDQ were established by literature review and semi-structured interview. After a pilot study, the final BDQ with 3 domains including ‘brain blood deficiency (BBD)’ ‘heart blood deficiency (HBD)’ and ‘meridian, collateral body constituents blood deficiency (MCBD)’ was developed. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the construct validity of BDQ. Discriminant validity was evaluated by T-test between two groups. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients and Cronbach’s α coefficients. Test-retested reliability was evaluated by Spearman correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

The scale consisted of 11 items which included ‘dizziness’ ‘avoid thinking because dizzy’ ‘need a break because dizzy’ ‘forgetfulness’ ‘palpitation’ ‘dream more’ ‘bad complexion or yellowed’ ‘dazzling or dry eyes’ ‘dry skin’ ‘numbness of limb skin’ and ‘limb restraint’, and the additional menstrual information. The results of T-Test were significant which the BDQ can distinguish normal people from patients. In CFA, items were divided into 3 factors (KMO=0.812, p<0.001). The Cronbach’s α coefficient of total scores was 0.821, and the Spearman correlation Coefficients between items and total scores were good (0.420-0.766). The Spearman Correlation coefficients of test-retested reliability were significant ( 0.518 -1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, 3 domains with 11 items and the additional menstrual information in the BDQ were developed. The BDQ is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating blood deficiency in the clinical.