• Cynthia Chernecky, Linda Sarna, Jennifer L Waller, and Mary-Lynn Brecht.
• School of Nursing, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA. cchernek@mail.mcg.edu
• Oncol Nurs Forum. 2004 Nov 1;31(6):1095-101.

Purpose/ObjectivesTo establish reliability and validity of two self-report questionnaires, the Lung Cancer Cough Questionnaire and the Lung Cancer Wheezing Questionnaire.DesignProspective, exploratory pilot study.SettingClinical oncology settings in the southern United States.Sample31 adult women with lung cancer.MethodsContent validity of both questionnaires was assessed through a comprehensive literature review and an expert judge panel. Concurrent validity was established by Spearman rank correlation coefficients and Wil-coxon Rank Sum tests with items from other valid tools. Test-retest reliability was assessed by percent agreement, kappa, paired t tests, and correlations. Internal consistency was determined by Cronbach's alpha.Main Research VariablesCough, wheeze.FindingsCronbach's alpha showed excellent internal consistency and percent agreement, and kappa showed similarity of item responses across test-retest administrations. Nonsignificant paired t tests indicated similar mean scores, and significant test-retest correlations supported test-retest reliability.ConclusionsPreliminary testing indicates good reliability and validity for both questionnaires. Both instruments can identify people with problems of coughing and wheezing and have the potential for monitoring these symptoms over time and determining effectiveness of interventions.Implications For NursingAssessment of coughing and wheezing is an important component of monitoring respiratory symptoms of lung cancer. Both of these symptoms can be amenable to interventions. Further research is needed to confirm psychometrics and sensitivity of these tools.

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