Development and validation of acupuncture fear scale

Area of Science:

• Integrative and Complementary Medicine
• Psychological Health
• Clinical Assessment Tools

Background:

• Significant patient aversion to acupuncture impedes understanding its therapeutic mechanisms.
• Quantifying fear of acupuncture treatment is crucial for addressing patient concerns and improving treatment acceptance.
• A validated instrument is needed to accurately measure acupuncture-related fear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a reliable instrument for assessing fear of acupuncture treatment.
• To establish the psychometric properties of the newly developed Acupuncture Fear Scale.

Main Methods:

• Development of a 16-item Acupuncture Fear Scale.
• Survey of 275 participants in South Korea to assess scale reliability and validity.
• Statistical analyses included internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability (Spearman's correlation), principal component analysis, and correlation with the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-III.

Main Results:

• The Acupuncture Fear Scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.935).
• Test-retest reliability was good, with correlations ranging from 0.565 to 0.797 (P < 0.001).
• Principal component analysis identified two key factors: painful sensation and potential adverse events. The scale showed a positive correlation with fear of pain (r = 0.423, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• The Acupuncture Fear Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring fear of acupuncture.
• This scale is a clinically useful tool for assessing patient fear in acupuncture settings.
• The findings highlight the importance of understanding the social-behavioral aspects of acupuncture treatment.