Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the instrument of oriental medical evaluation for Hwa-byung.
Methods: 97 participants diagnosed with Hwa-byung divided into 5 pattern identifications by the instrument on pattern identifications for Hwa-byung were tested by the instrument of oriental medical evaluation for Hwa-byung twice a week.
Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient of the test-retest analysis of oriental medical evaluation for Hwa-byung had over moderate agreement. The intraclass correlation coefficient of test-retest analysis of evaluation index of symptoms had moderate agreement for the total symptoms, and fair agreement for the physical and mental symptoms. The validity analysis of the instrument represented a positive correlation in the pattern identification of stagnation of liver Gi, malfunction of gallbladder due to phlegm stagnation, and disharmony between heart and kidneys.
Conclusions: The results showed that the reliability analysis of the instrument of oriental medical evaluation for Hwa-byung showed over moderate agreement, and validity analysis represented a positive correlation except for the pattern identification of flare-up of liver fire and deficiency of both Gi and blood.