Questionnaire for the Assessment of Symptoms and Psychological Effects in Cardiovascular Therapy (the ASPECT Scale)

This brief review summarizes the background and principles for the development of a new psychometric instrument (Assessment of Symptoms and Psychological Effects in Cardiovascular Therapy--ASPECT Scale). The test consists of two parts, one for assessment of three aspects of global well-being (hedonic tone, relaxation, and activity) and one for evaluation of 34 commonly experienced symptomatic side-effects of cardiovascular drugs. All items are assessed by visual-analogue scales, and six clusters of symptoms have been identified: cardiac symptoms, central nervous system or cognitive symptoms, fatigue, local/cutaneous symptoms, sleeping disturbances, and other symptoms.