Cross-cultural adaptation of the delphi definitions of low back pain prevalence (German DOLBaPP)

Abstract

BackgroundAssessed dimensions of low back pain (LBP) vary in prevalence studies. This may explain the heterogeneity in frequency estimates. To standardize definitions of LBP, an English consensus with 28 experts from 12 countries developed the “Delphi Definitions of Low Back Pain Prevalence” (DOLBaPP). The optimal definition and the shorter minimal definition with the related questionnaires for online, paper, and face-to-face use and telephone surveys are suitable for population-based studies. The definitions have to be adapted to different languages and cultures to provide comparable frequency estimates. The objective was to culturally adapt and pre-test the English definitions and corresponding Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaire forms into German.MethodsThe German DOLBaPP adaptation was conducted using the systematic approach suggested by Beaton et al. A pre-test of the Delphi DOLBaPP optimal paper questionnaire including an additional evaluation form was conducted in a sample of 121 employees (mainly office workers). In order to evaluate the comprehensibility, usability, applicability, and completeness of the adapted questionnaire, response to the questionnaire and 6 closed evaluation questions were analyzed descriptively. Qualitative methods were used for the 3 open questions of the evaluation form.ResultsThe cultural adaptation of the DOLBaPP for a German-speaking audience required little linguistic adaptation. Conceptual equivalence was difficult for the expression “low back pain”. The expert committee considered the face validity of the pre-final version of the related Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaires as good. In the pre-test, most participants (95%) needed less than 5 minutes to fill in the optimal Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaire. They were generally positive regarding length, wording, diagram, and composition. All subjects with LBP (n = 61 out of 121 – 50.4%) answered the questions on functional limitation, sciatic pain, frequency and duration of symptoms as well as pain severity.ConclusionThe results indicate that the cross-cultural German adaptation of the DOLBaPP Definitions and the corresponding questionnaires was successful. The definitions can be used in epidemiological studies to measure the prevalence of LBP. Some critical issues were raised regarding the general features of the Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaires. Future research is needed to evaluate these instruments.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2474-15-397) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Delphi Definitions of Low Back Pain Prevalence into Swedish (Swedish DOLBaPP)

“…Some participants had di culty understanding question 6 about time since previous LBP episode and participants in the German study suggested to remove the negation in the question and to shorten the sentence [10]. As for the German version [10], most participants needed less than 5 minutes to complete the questionnaire. Furthermore, participants suggested to add questions about the cause of the pain, the duration of the problems, previous LBP episodes, physical activity, and LBP management and treatment.…”

“…Although these erroneous answers had no impact on the prevalence rates and all responses were plausible, they might be avoided. If using the paper questionnaire, an instruction could be added explaining that if participants answer "no" to question 1 on LBP, they can skip to answer the questions 2, 5, 6 and 7, as also suggested by Leonhardt et al [10]. In case an online form is used, inbuilt data validation rules can ensure that people get the right questions based on the previous answers [29].…”

“…Background questions concerned participants gender, age group, and usual physical strenuousness of their work (see Table 2 for details). Inspired by the German DOLBaPP study [10] the evaluation questions were about how long time it took to ll in the questionnaire, what participants thought about the diagram accompanying question 1, if they thought one or some of the questions were unclear, and if so, could they describe the problem(s), and if possible, suggest a solution. Furthermore, they were asked if they missed any question, and invited to provide any other comments they had on the questionnaire (see Table 4 for details).…”

“…The Delphi DOLBaPP must be adapted to different languages and cultures and has so far been successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted for German [10], Spanish [11], and French [12] speaking populations. However, equivalent de nitions for Swedish speaking populations are missing.…”

Adaptação Transcultural E Confiabilidade Do Active Australia Questionnaire Para Idosos

“…Optamos pela metodologia citada por Beaton et al 13 por ser de reconhecimento internacional e citada em grande parte dos estudos metodológicos pesquisados 17,18 . No presente estudo, o processo de tradução e adaptação transcultural cumpriu todas as etapas necessárias para um resultado satisfatório.…”