Non-randomised trial, 2008
Does a one-question mood scale work as well as a detailed symptom checklist?
A simple 0-10 mood rating scale tracked symptom changes just as well as a 17-item detailed symptom checklist during oral contraceptive cycles, with strong correlation between the two methods.
What they did
102 women taking oral contraceptives (21 days with hormones, 7 days without) completed two different symptom tracking methods: a simple Scott and White daily diary rating mood 0-10, and a longer Penn State form with 17 items rating mood, physical, and behavioral symptoms.
What they found
The simple single mood score correlated strongly with the complex 17-item checklist. Both scales showed the same pattern: symptoms increased just before and peaked during the 7-day hormone-free week.
What it means for you
For research and clinical tracking, a simple one-question mood rating is as reliable as a much longer form, making symptom tracking easier for women. The study was relatively small and studied only women on one type of monophasic oral contraceptive, so results may not apply to all women or all contraceptive types.
102
Women studied
21-7
Hormone and hormone-free days per cycle
0.44
Correlation between scales
About the study
- Original title
- Comparison of scales for evaluating premenstrual symptoms in women using oral contraceptives
- Authors
- Coffee AL, Kuehl TJ, Sulak PJ
- Journal
- Pharmacotherapy
- Year
- 2008
- Study design
- Non-randomised trial
- What was tested
- Two symptom tracking scales
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1592/phco.28.5.576
Topics
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