The application of a shortened version of the profile of mood stares in a sample of breast cancer chemotherapy patients

Objectives. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) is a 65-item mood measure wit h demonstrated reliability and validity; however, its length can be of conc ern to researchers. The present study investigated the utility of a 37-item shortened version of the POMS (SV-POMS) developed by Shacham (1983). Design. In samples of breast cancer chemotherapy patients (patient group 1) and healthy volunteers, correlations between the subscales of the measures and internal consistencies were examined; these samples were also used to compare mood ratings of healthy women and patients. In another sample of br east cancer chemotherapy patients (patient group 2), the sensitivity to cha nges in mood of the measures was investigated. Methods. Patient group 1 comprised 114 women; patient group 2 comprised 48 women. Healthy volunteers were 55 women recruited through newspaper adverti sements. Results. The correspondence between the measures was demonstrated by signif icant correlations of the shortened with the full-length scales. Internal c onsistencies of the measures were comparable. Both measures demonstrated mo od differences between patients and volunteers. The responsiveness of the m easures to change were comparable as demonstrated by changes in distress sc ores across chemotherapy infusions. Conclusions. burden is of concern. Results suggest that the SV-POMS can be used when participant burden is of concern.