The SF-36 is a 36 item generic human research quality of life instrument that uses a recall period of 4 weeks. Items are grouped into 8 domains as follows: Physical Functioning (10 items), Role Physical (4 items), Bodily Pain (2 items), General Health (5 items), Vitality (4 items), Social Functioning (2 items), Role Emotional (3 items), Mental Health (5 items), and a further unscaled single item (question 2) for perceived stability or change in health (Health Transition) during the last year. The norm-based scores (based on the US general population) were used for analysis. For the MCS, the lowest and highest possible scores are -9 and 82 (rounded).
The SF-36 domains (subscores) are scored so that a higher score indicates a better health state.