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Measurement of physical activity in cancer survivors: a validity study

Journal of Cancer Survivorship volume 8, pages 205–212 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to validate the Taiwanese version of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE-T) and to assess physical activity in Taiwanese cancer survivors.

Methods

One hundred twenty-seven cancer survivors participated in this study. Instruments consisted of the PASE-T, the Taiwanese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-T), Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and actigraph. Reliability was assessed by calculating the test–retest reliability. The validity was assessed by the content validity, criterion-related validity, convergent validity, and known-group validity.

Results

The test–retest reliability of PASE-T was 0.90 over a 2-week interval, based on a sample of 30 patients. The content validity index was very acceptable at 0.91. Convergent validity was demonstrated by its significant association with MDASI-T scores (symptom severity: r = −0.23, p = 0.001; symptom interference: r = −0.21, p = 0.001) and KPS scores (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). Criterion-related validity was established by a significant relationship to the actigraph total counts per minute (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). Known-group validity was established by its ability to detect significant differences according to a patient's performance status. Moreover, KPS (β = 0.37), fatigue (β = −0.32), and age (β = −0.20) were significant predictors of physical activity (R 2 = 0.46).

Conclusions

The PASE-T is a reliable and valid instrument for measurement of physical activity among cancer survivors in Taiwan.

Implication for Cancer Survivors

This scale could be a useful measure of physical activity in cancer survivors and subsequently facilitate the quality of oncology care.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital (97TMU-WFH-05). The authors would like to thank all participants in this study.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Graduate Institute of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Ching-Ching Su

  2. School of Nursing, Chung-Jen Junior College of Nursing, Health Sciences and Management, Chia Yi County, Taiwan

    Ching-Ching Su

  3. Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan

    Kuan-Der Lee

  4. Department of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan

    Kuan-Der Lee

  5. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, St. Martin De Porres Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan

    Chung-Hung Yeh

  6. Department of Nursing, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Ching-Chiu Kao

  7. School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wuxing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan

    Ching-Chiu Kao & Chia-Chin Lin

Authors
  1. Ching-Ching Su
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  2. Kuan-Der Lee
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  3. Chung-Hung Yeh
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  4. Ching-Chiu Kao
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  5. Chia-Chin Lin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chia-Chin Lin.

Additional information

Ching-Chiu Kao, MSN, RN, and Chia-Chin Lin, PhD, RN, contributed equally to this work

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Su, CC., Lee, KD., Yeh, CH. et al. Measurement of physical activity in cancer survivors: a validity study. J Cancer Surviv 8, 205–212 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-013-0325-3

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Keywords

  • Physical activity
  • Cancer survivors
  • Reliability
  • Validity
  • Validation