Development and test of recurrence risk perception assessment scale for patients after radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation

The objective is to create a scale for evaluating the perceived risk of recurrence in patients following radiofrequency ablation for Atrial fibrillation (AF), while also assessing the scale's reliability and validity. The research was completed under the guidance of Health Belief Model and Risk Perception Attitude Framework. The initial measurement was developed after literature review and qualitative interviews. The items were formed and adjusted after Delphi technique and cognitive reviews. 240 AF patients after radiofrequency catheter ablation were conveniently selected and investigated to test the reliability and validity of the scale. The scale included 5 domains: Likelihood of recurrence (4 items), Risk factors for recurrence(10 items), Severity of recurrence (10 items), self-efficacy (5 items) and Benefits of controlling recurrence (5 items). The scale has a total of 34 items. The content validity index for the total scale was 0.948. The Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.948 and the split-half reliability was 0.862; the 2-week test-retest reliability was 0.948, and the 1-month test-retest reliability was 0.967. Validated factor analysis scores for each indicator were χ2/df = 1.292, GFI = 0.826, CFI = 0.953, NFI = 0.824, TLT = 0.949, SRMR = 0.052, and RMSEA = 0.41, cluster validity factor loadings ranged from 0.686 to 0.815, AVE values ranged from 0.517 to 0.591, and CR values ranged from 0.837 to 0.929. The recurrence risk perception assessment scale for patients after radiofrequency ablation of AF has good reliability and validity and is suitable for assessing the level of recurrence risk perceived in patients after radiofrequency ablation of AF.