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Table 1 Original version of the VSI [27]

From: Gastrointestinal specific anxiety in irritable bowel syndrome: validation of the Japanese version of the visceral sensitivity index for university students

Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI)

Item

Strongly agree

Moderately agree

Mildly agree

Mildly disagree

Moderately disagree

Strongly disagree

1

I worry that whenever I eat during the day, bloating and distension in my belly will get worse.

1

2

3

4

5

6

2

I get anxious when I go to a new restaurant.

1

2

3

4

5

6

3

I often worry about problems in my belly.

1

2

3

4

5

6

4

I have a difficult time enjoying myself because I cannot get my mind off of discomfort in my belly.

1

2

3

4

5

6

5

I often fear that I won’t be able to have a normal bowel movement.

1

2

3

4

5

6

6

Because of fear of developing abdominal discomfort, I seldom try new foods.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

No matter what I eat, I will probably feel uncomfortable.

1

2

3

4

5

6

8

As soon as I feel abdominal discomfort I begin to worry and feel anxious.

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

When I enter a place I haven’t been before, one of the first things I do is to look for a bathroom.

1

2

3

4

5

6

10

I am constantly aware of the feelings I have in my belly.

1

2

3

4

5

6

11

I often feel discomfort in my belly could be a sign of a serious illness.

1

2

3

4

5

6

12

As soon as I awake, I worry that I will have discomfort in my belly during the day.

1

2

3

4

5

6

13

When I feel discomfort in my belly, it frightens me.

1

2

3

4

5

6

14

In stressful situations, my belly bothers me a lot.

1

2

3

4

5

6

15

I constantly think about what is happening inside my belly.

1

2

3

4

5

6