Measuring mood – relative sensitivity of numerical rating and Likert scales in the context of teaching electroacupuncture. Initial findings and the influence of response style on results

Mood and its changes are important but often overlooked in acupuncture research (a PubMed search revealed only eight studies with both ‘acupuncture’ and ‘mood’ in the title). A number of mood questionnaires exist, all using Likert scales, such as the proprietary 65-item Profile of Mood States (POMS). An anglicised and shorter version of POMS is the validated, open-access 24-item Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS24). Like POMS it comprises six subscales – five of negative valence (ANGer, CONFusion, DEPRession, FATigue, TENSion), one positive (VIGour), with a derived Total Mood Disturbance (TMD). Our own acupuncture research called for a quick and easy method of assessing mood and its changes before, during and after stimulation. Most existing measures were overly complicated or for other reasons did not meet our requirements. Following several pilot studies, we therefore developed a multiple numerical rating scale for mood (NRS-M) with four negative subscales (Anxious, Confused, Fatigued, Gloomy) corresponding to those in BRUMS24 and four positive subjective states (Comfortable, Lively, Relaxed and overall ‘Good mood’) that we considered would be useful in our research, rather than focusing solely on the pathological states emphasised by POMS and BRUMS24. Using fewer words, we hoped this would be easier to understand for non-native English speakers and those with learning difficulties, as well as quicker to complete even than BRUMS24. Here we analyse its use in a teaching situation.