A systematic and critical review of measurement scales for evaluating gastrointestinal symptoms during exercise.
Robyn Aitkenhead, Mark Waldron, Gillian E Conway et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated 126 studies on measurement scales for gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) during exercise, focusing on Likert-type and visual analog scales (VAS). The review found significant variability in scale design and reporting, with only one study validating an exercise-specific scale. Most studies lacked justification for scale selection, highlighting the need for standardized GIS assessment tools.
Key findings
- The review identified 50 different scales and 13 scale lengths used to measure GIS during exercise.
- 11-point Likert-type scales and VAS were the most frequently used measures, accounting for 46% of studies.
- 92% of studies did not justify their scale selection, often using non-exercise adapted tools.
Why it matters
Understanding the variability and limitations of GIS measurement tools is crucial for clinicians and researchers. Standardized and validated scales can enhance the reliability and comparability of GIS assessments, ultimately improving patient care and research outcomes in exercise settings.