Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Breathlessness Beliefs Questionnaire

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of breathlessness beliefs questionnaire

BACKGROUND

Dyspnea is often the main symptom that limits exercise; however, the vicious cycle of dyspnea limiting exercise participation is also an important contributor to the reduced exercise capacity.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to investigate the reliability and validity of Turkish Breathlessness Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD).

METHODS

Seventy-seven COPD patients were included in the study. Sociodemographic and physical characteristics were recorded. Turkish version of BBQ, Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were applied. Second evaluation of BBQ was conducted via telephone calls with no drop-outs. Reliability of the questionnaire was explored by calculating the internal consistency and test-retest analysis. Construct validity was assessed calculating correlation coefficients of BBQ with HADS and SGRQ scores. Known group validity was also explored.

RESULTS

Cronbach alpha coefficients for total score of BBQ were 0.78, indicating that the questionnaire has 'good' internal consistency. Initial and test-retest BBQ total scores were 41.42 ± 6.47 and 41.18 ± 6.24, respectively. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC_2,1) values of BBQ and its sub-scales varied between 0.973 and 0.983, indicating strong test-retest reliability. Correlation coefficient between BBQ total and SGRQ-Activity (0.619) was highest among the variables of interest, followed by BBQ total and SGRQ total (0.611). There was a significant correlation between BBQ total and HADS (0.390). One-way analysis of variance revealed that BBQ total and BBQ-Activity Avoidance scores were significantly differ in disease stages.

CONCLUSION

Turkish version of BBQ was found to be a valid and reliable tool for measuring dysfunctional beliefs related to the dyspnea in patients with COPD.

Assessing dyspnea-related kinesiophobia in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc): validity and reliability of Turkish Breathlessness Beliefs Questionnaire for SSc

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE

The respiratory system is often affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc), a connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis, vasculopathy, and inflammation. As a result, especially exertional dyspnea may occur in SSc patients. Evaluation of attitudes towards dyspnea is important in terms of preventing negative consequences such as kinesiophobia. However, no validated tool is available for assessing dyspnea-related kinesiophobia for patients with SSc. The aim of the present study was to perform the Turkish validation of the Breathlessness Beliefs Questionnaire for SSc (BBQ-SSc), which was adapted from the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, and to investigate its relationships with physical and clinical characteristics.

METHOD

Fifty patients with SSc (47 females) were included in the study. The patients were evaluated regarding pulmonary function tests, respiratory muscle strength, patient-reported dyspnea, quality of life related to respiratory problems, mood, and fatigue. The patients were re-evaluated 1 week later for the test-retest reliability of the BBQ-SSc.

RESULTS

Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.862) and test-retest validity (ICC: 0.831; 95% CI: 0.702-0.907) of the 12-item Turkish BBQ-SSc were found to be good. Principal component analysis confirmed the two-dimensional structure of the questionnaire. The scores of the questionnaire were associated with duration of illness, patient-reported dyspnea, quality of life related to respiratory problems, mood, and fatigue (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, the 12-item Turkish BBQ-SSc is a reliable and valid tool to assess dyspnea-related kinesiophobia in SSc patients. Key Points • There are no structured tools available for assessing dyspnea-related kinesiophobia in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) • The 12-item Turkish Breathlessness Beliefs Questionnaire for SSc (BBQ-SSc) is a reliable and valid tool to assess dyspnea-related kinesiophobia in SSc patients.

Multi-Dimensional Dyspnea-Related Scales Validated in Individuals With Cardio-Respiratory and Cancer Diseases. A Systematic Review of Psychometric Properties

CONTEXT

In order to examine the multi-dimensional nature of dyspnea and its impact on the activities of daily living (ADLs) in patients with cardio-respiratory and cancer diseases, validated measures are needed.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to identify all the multi-dimensional clinical scales assessing dyspnea and its impact on ADLs in patients with cardio-respiratory and cancer diseases, and to critically appraise their psychometric properties.

METHODS

Five databases were systematically searched up to July 2020. Eligible criteria were: the examination of at least one psychometric property, and the recruitment of adults with a cardio-respiratory or cancer disease in non-emergency settings. The characteristics and psychometric properties of the studies included were presented through a narrative synthesis. The methodological quality of the studies and evidence synthesis were rated using the "COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN)" criteria.

RESULTS

Forty-three studies, for which eight assessment scales had been identified, were included in the review. At the time of the review, three multi-dimensional assessment scales were available for assessing dyspnea symptoms, and five multi-dimensional scales were available to examine the impact of dyspnea on ADLs. Although the use of these scales has rapidly grown, evidence of psychometric properties has been reported as limited in most of the scales.

CONCLUSION

Despite the potential of the identified scales, further studies are needed to strength evidence on the validity and reliability of the multi-dimensional dyspnea scales. Furthermore, more studies appraising the content validity and responsiveness of the scales are specifically recommended.

Effect of inspiratory muscle training on dyspnea-related kinesiophobia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The major symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is dyspnea, which causes dyspnea-related kinesiophobia resulting in avoidance of activities associated with dyspnea or compensation by reducing the rate of activity. The aim of this study was to assess dyspnea-related kinesiophobia and determine the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on dyspnea-related kinesiophobia in COPD.

METHODS

Forty COPD subjects were randomly allocated to either the IMT or sham group. Both groups' maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was assessed weekly. All patients were instructed to perform the training exercises for 15 min twice a day, 5 days a week for a total of 8 weeks. In the IMT group, intensity was set at 30% of MIP and adjusted according to weekly MIP value. In the sham group, intensity remained constant at 15% of initial MIP. Pulmonary function test (PFT), respiratory muscle strength, 6-min walk test (6 MWT), Breathlessness Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ), Modified Medical Research Council scale (MMRC), modified Borg scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) were assessed before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

BBQ scores ranged from 18 to 51, with mean values in the IMT and sham groups of 39.80 ± 7.62 and 43.00 ± 6.58, respectively. When between-group differences of all outcome scores were compared, there was a statistically significant improvement in the IMT group than in the sham group (p < 0.05). After IMT, statistically significant decreases in BBQ and modified Borg scores were observed in within groups (p ≤ 0.001). These decreases were significantly greater in the IMT group (p ≤ 0.001). MMRC decreased significantly only in the IMT group (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant increase in PFT values in the IMT group (p = 0.007-0.045), but no difference in the sham group (p = 0.129-0.886). Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in respiratory muscle strength, 6 MWT distance, and CAT score after 8 weeks (p < 0.05). All HADS and SGRQ scores decreased significantly in the IMT group (p < 0.001), whereas only the SGRQ activity score decreased significantly in the sham group (p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides data on the presence and level of dyspnea-related kinesiophobia in COPD patients. All patients had BBQ scores higher than 11, indicating dyspnea-related kinesiophobia. IMT reduced BBQ score and improved respiratory function, and exercise capacity. Our results also support the other known benefits of IMT such as reduced dyspnea and symptom perception, decreased anxiety and depression, and improved quality of life.