Reliability generalization meta-analysis of the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Body Awareness Questionnaire

Abstract

The Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) measures attentiveness to normal body processes and is widely used with both healthy and patient samples. Meta-analysis of 10 articles involving 15 studies (4078 participants) examined BAQ reliability. Random-effects models pooled Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest coefficients. Heterogeneity was assessed via I² statistic; publication bias via funnel plots, Egger’s and Begg’s tests, and trim-and-fill method. Pooled Cronbach’s alpha was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.81–0.87), indicating high internal consistency despite substantial heterogeneity (I² = 92.20%). Pooled test-retest reliability was strong at 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78–0.89), though with significant heterogeneity (I² = 95.42%). Egger’s test suggested potential publication bias. Despite heterogeneity and potential bias issues, findings support BAQ’s cross-population applicability.