Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Caregiver Reaction Assessment Scale (CRA-J) for community-dwelling cancer patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to validate the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA) among caregivers of community-dwelling advanced cancer patients in Japan.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to advanced cancer patients and their caregivers who were cared for at day hospices and home palliative care services. We translated the CRA into Japanese, and then verified factor validity, reliability, construct validity, concurrent validity, and known groups' validity. To address construct and concurrent validity, we calculated Pearson's correlation coefficient between the Japanese version of the CRA and the Burden Index of Caregivers (BIC). To address known groups' validity, we used the t test or analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: A total of 57 caregivers participated in the study. Five factors were extracted (''impact on schedule,'' ''caregiver's self-esteem,'' ''lack of family support,'' ''impact on health,'' and ''impact on finances'') and reliability was good. Construct and concurrent validity among the subscales of the BIC were good. Regarding known groups validity, the subscale score of ''impact on schedule'' for the groups that cared 6 hours or more per day was higher than the other group (P = .04).

Conclusion: The CRA-J is valid and reliable. This scale is useful for caregivers of cancer patients in Japan.