Psychometric validation of the simplified Chinese version of the therapy-related symptom checklist in children with cancer.

Purpose: To validate a simplified Chinese version of the therapy-related symptom checklist for children (TRSC-C) in children with cancer.

Methods: Reliability was assessed by internal consistency and test-retest coefficients. Dimensionality and construct validity were clarified using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between the TRSC-C and the PedsQL 3.0 cancer model (PedsQL 3.0) and the Lansky Play Performance Scale (LPPS) to test concurrent validity. A Student's t-test was used to compare the scores of the simplified Chinese version of the TRSC-C subscales by gender, age groups, and functional status to test sensitivity of the TRSC-C.

Results: A sample of 170 children with cancer was recruited (11.27 ± 2.31 years). Cronbach's alpha (0.89) and interclass correlation coefficient (0.98) were acceptable. Seven factors with eigenvalues >1 explained 56.86% of the total variances. CFA demonstrated an acceptable model (CFI = 0.93, RMSE = 0.04). Concurrent validity was supported by moderate to high correlations between the TRSC-C and both the PedsQL 3.0 (r = -0.71) and LPPS (r = -0.43). The TRSC-C scores significantly differed by age groups and functional status (effect size 0.40-0.93), indicating adequate sensitivity.

Conclusion: The simplified Chinese version of the TRSC-C demonstrated acceptable reliability, validity, and sensitivity to support its use in clinical practice and future studies.