Br Homeopath J 2001; 90(03): 131-137
DOI: 10.1054/homp.1999.0493
Original Paper
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2001

The Constitutional Type Questionnaire: validation in the patient population of the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital

RA van Haselen
a   The Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital, UK
,
S Cinar
b   Catholic University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
P Fisher
a   The Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital, UK
,
J Davidson
c   Duke University Medical Center, USA
› Author Affiliations

Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

Received10 April 2001
revised27 April 2001

accepted30 April 2001

Publication Date:
28 May 2018 (online)

Abstract

In homeopathy the choice of a medicine is based on the total ‘picture’ presented by the patient. This picture includes ‘constitutional type’ which comprises personality, and general physical features. The Constitutional Type Questionnaire (CTQ) is designed to systematically assess constitutional types. This study examines the reliability and validity of the CTQ. Four hundred and seventy-two outpatients attending clinics at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital completed the CTQ, a 152-item scale rating features traditionally considered typical of 19 constitutional homeopathic medicine ‘pictures’ on 5-point frequency or severity scales. A subsample was retested after 1 week to measure the test–retest reliability. Another subsample was prescribed a medicine by a homeopathic doctor. Prescriptions were compared with the CTQ, to assess the content validity of the scale. The construct validity was measured by Grade of Membership (GOM) analysis. The scale demonstrated good test–retest reliability (r=0.73), internal consistency (r=0.95). The correlation between CTQ results and the medicine prescribed by the homeopathic doctor was 75.8%. The GOM analyses are reported by Davidson et al elsewhere in this issue of the journal. Although the CTQ could be improved, the scale displays good reliability and validity.