Survey study, 1976
Is the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire a reliable tool for measuring menstrual symptoms?
Yes, the questionnaire is reliable and consistent over time. However, it cannot tell the difference between women at different stages of the menstrual cycle, which limits its usefulness.
What they did
Researchers tested a questionnaire designed to measure menstrual distress on 47 women. They checked whether the questionnaire was internally consistent and whether neutral instructions about the study's purpose would change how women answered.
What they found
The questionnaire was internally consistent and showed high reliability when repeated. Giving neutral instructions did not significantly change women's symptom ratings. However, the questionnaire could not distinguish between women who were at different stages of their menstrual cycle when they completed it.
What it means for you
This questionnaire is a reliable tool for comparing symptoms between women, but it was not designed to detect differences based on where women are in their cycle. This is a study about research methods, not about treating or managing menstrual symptoms.
47
women studied
About the study
- Original title
- Assessment of the reliability of and the effect of neutral instructions on the symptom ratings on the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire
- Authors
- Markum RA
- Journal
- Psychosomatic medicine
- Year
- 1976
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 47
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/00006842-197605000-00002