Purpose: This study aims to examine the reliability, validity, and preference of an original faces scale (original FS) for mood assessment.
Methods: The original FS was evaluated by comparing it with a modified faces scale developed by Lorish and Maisiak (modified L&M FS) and the 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) in mail survey mood assessments. The subjects were Japanese elderly patients with dentures (age range: 52-81 years; mean age: 68.8 years). We included 32 subjects for reliability and validity analyses, and 34 for analysis of scale preference. The test-retest reliability of the scales was determined by calculating the correlation between two assessments obtained at one-week intervals; the concurrent validity of the original FS, by calculating its correlation with VAS and the modified L&M FS. The scale preference was assessed by asking the subjects to determine which scale was easiest/most difficult to assess. The chi-square test was used to determine statistical differences between the three scales.
Results: All scales revealed a good test-retest reliability; further, the original FS demonstrated the highest Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r=0.76). The concurrent validity, measured by the correlation between the original FS and VAS (r=0.70, P<0.01) and the modified L&M FS (r=0.90, P<0.01), was also established. A majority of the subjects preferred the original FS to the other scales.
Conclusion: The original FS is an effective nonverbal method for conveniently assessing the mood of patients with dentures with respect to prosthetic treatment.