AIM:To initially test for the content validity,comprehensibility,test-retest reliability and internal consistency reliability of the Yin-Yang Assessment Questionnaire(YYAQ).METHODS:The process of initial validity and reliability test covered:(1)content validation from the findings of 18 multiple-case studies,validated Yin-and Yangdeficiency assessment questionnaires,relevant literatures and registered Chinese medicine practitioners;(2)comprehension with the levels of comprehensibility for each item categorized on a 3-point scale(not comprehensible;moderately comprehensible;highly comprehensible).A minimum of three respondents selecting for each item of moderately or highly comprehensible were regarded as comprehensive;(3)test-retest reliability conducted with a 2-wk interval.The intraclass correlation coefficients(ICCs)and their 95%CIs were calculated using a two-way random effects model.Wilcoxon Signed Rank test for related samples was adopted to compare the medians of test-retest scores.An ICC value of 0.85 or higher together with P>0.05,was considered acceptable;and(4)internal consistency of the total items was measured and evaluated by Cronbach’s coefficient alpha(α).A Cronbach’sαof 0.7or higher was considered to represent good internal consistency.RESULTS:Eighteen Yin-deficiency and 14 Yang-deficiency presentation items were finalized from content validation.Five participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)performed the comprehensibility and testretest reliability tests.Comprehensibility score level of each presentation item was found to be moderate or high in three out of the five participants.Test-retest reliability showed that the single measure ICC of the total Yin-deficiency presentation items was 0.99(95%CI:0.89-0.99)and the median scores on the first and 14thdays were 17(IQR 6.5-27)and 21(IQR 6-29)(P=0.144)respectively.The single measure ICC of the total Yang-deficiency presentation items was 0.88(95%CI:0.79-0.99)and the median scores on the first and 14th days were 10(IQR 6-18)and 14(IQR 7-23)(P=0.144)respectively.The results of a descriptive correlation study on 140 survey participants with T2DM using the YY-AQ showed that internal consistency of the total Yin-deficiency and Yang-deficiency presentation items was satisfactory,with Cronbach’sαof 0.79 and 0.78respectively.CONCLUSION:The YY-AQ will be tested further for comprehensibility,test-retest and internal consistency reliabilities,scoring system validity,construct validity,convergent and discriminant validities,responsiveness and predictive validity. AIM: To initially test for the content validity, comprehensibility, test-retest reliability and internal consistency reliability of the Yin-Yang Assessment Questionnaire (YYAQ) .METHODS: The process of initial validity and reliability test covered: (1) content validation from the findings of 18 multiple-case studies, validated Yin-and Yangdeficiency assessment questionnaires, relevant literatures and registered Chinese medicine practitioners; (2) comprehension with the levels of comprehensibility for each item categorized on a 3-point scale (not comprehensible; moderately comprehensible; highly comprehensible). A minimum of three respondents for each item of moderately or highly comprehensible were were as comprehensive; (3) test-retest reliability conducted with a 2-wk interval. intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and their 95% CIs were calculated using a two-way random effects model. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test for related samples was adopted to compare the medians of test-retest sco res.An ICC value of 0.85 or higher together with P> 0.05, was considered acceptable; and (4) internal consistency of the total items was measured and evaluated by Cronbach’s coefficient alpha (α) .A Cronbach’sαof 0.7or higher considered to represent good internal consistency. RESULTS: Eighteen Yin-deficiency and 14 Yang-deficiency presentation items were finalized from content validation. Feive participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) performed the comprehensibility and testretest reliability tests. Comprehensibility score level of each presentation item was found to be moderate or high in three out of the five participants. Test-retest reliability showed that the single measure ICC of the total Yin-deficiency presentation items was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.89-0.99) and the median scores on the first and 14th day were 17 (IQR 6.5-27) and 21 (IQR 6-29) (P = 0.144) respectively.The single measure ICC of the total Yang-deficiency presentation items was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.79-0.99) and the median scores on the fi rst anThe results of a descriptive correlation study on 140 survey participants with T2DM using the YY-AQ showed that internal consistency of the d 14th days were 10 (IQR 6-18) and 14 (IQR 7-23) (P = 0.144) total Yin-deficiency and Yang-deficiency presentation items were satisfactory, with Cronbach’s α of 0.79 and 0.78 cyclically. CONCLUSION: The YY-AQ will be tested further for comprehensibility, test-retest and internal consistency reliabilities, scoring system validity, construct validity, convergent and discriminant validities, responsiveness and predictive validity.