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Measurement of physical activity in cancer survivors: a validity study

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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

Authors and 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

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  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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