The development of a method for determining oncology patients?? emotional distress using linear analogue scales

Evaluating the effectiveness of nursing interventions is an integral part of the nursing process and a streamlined measurement method to evaluate emotional well-being would appear to have great potential use in busy clinical settings. A six-item linear analogue self-assessment (LASA) scale derived from the Profile of Mood States (POMS) was developed and tested on 60 cancer patients. Results indicate that the new instrument is both feasible and reliable. Preliminary evidence of validity has been demonstrated using the original version of the POMS as a criterion. This simple, rapid method of evaluating mood may be useful in both research and clinical settings.