title: The RAND-36 measure of health-related quality of life.
abstract: The RAND-36 is perhaps the most widely used health-related quality of life (HRQoL) survey instrument in the world today. It is comprised of 36 items that assess eight health concepts: physical functioning, role limitations caused by physical health problems, role limitations caused by emotional problems, social functioning, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, pain, and general health perceptions. Physical and mental health summary scores are also derived from the eight RAND-36 scales. This paper provides example applications of the RAND-36 cross-sectionally and longitudinally, provides information on what a clinically important difference is for the RAND-36 scales, and provides guidance for summarizing the RAND-36 in a single number. The paper also discusses the availability of the RAND-36 in multiple languages and summarizes changes that are incorporated in the latest version of the survey.
authors.affiliation: UCLA Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, 90095-1736, USA. hays@rand.org
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hays
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011788:Quality of Life