Development and Validation of the Quality-of-Life Assessment System for Lung Cancer Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract EN

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has many unique features.

Thequality-of-life (QoL) instrument for lung cancer based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (QLASTCM-Lu) was the first self-reported instrument specifically developed to assess the quality of life from the perspective of TCM.

Structured group methods and theory in developmental rating scale were employed to establish a general and a specific module, respectively.

Quantitative and qualitative data from 240 lung cancer patients were collected to assess the psychometric properties.

The three identified scales of the QLASTCM-Lu (correspondence between man and universe, unity of the body and spirit, and lung cancer specific module) and the total score demonstrated excellent psychometric properties.

Test-retest reliability of all domains ranged from 0.93 to 0.96, and internal consistency α ranged from 0.86 to 0.93.

Correlation and factor analysis demonstrated good construct validity.

Significant differences in the QLASTCM-Lu scales and total score were found among groups differing in TCM syndrome, supporting the clinical sensitivity of the QLASTCM-Lu.

Statistically significant changes were found for each scale and the total score.

Responsiveness of the QLASTCM-Lu was greater than that of QLQ-LC43.

The QLASTCM-Lu is a psychometrically sound and clinically sensitive measure of quality of life for lung cancer patients, which can be applied to both TCM therapy and Western medicine therapy.