The psychometric validation of the Dutch version of the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) after traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Abstract

BackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common neurological conditions. It can have wide-ranging physical, cognitive and psychosocial effects. Most people recover within weeks to months after the injury, but a substantial proportion are at risk of developing lasting post-concussion symptoms. The Rivermead Post-Concussion Syndrome Questionnaire (RPQ) is a short validated 16-items self-report instrument to evaluate post-concussive symptoms. The aim of this study was to test psychometrics characteristics of the current Dutch translation of the RPQ.MethodsTo determine the psychometric characteristics of the Dutch RPQ, 472 consecutive patients six months after they presented with a traumatic brain injury in seven medical centers in the Netherlands (N = 397), and in two in Belgium (Flanders) (N = 75) took part in the study which is part of the large prospective longitudinal observational CENTER-TBI-EU-study. Psychometric properties at six months post TBI, were assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Sensitivity was analyzed by comparing RPQ scores and self-reported recovery status of patients with mild vs. moderate and severe TBI.FindingsThe Dutch version of RPQ proved good, showing excellent psychometric characteristics: high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α .93), and good construct validity, being sensitive to self-reported recovery status at six months post TBI. Moreover, data showed a good fit to the three dimensional structure of separate cognitive, emotional and somatic factors (Chi2 = 119; df = 117; p = .4; CFI = .99; RMSEA = .006), reported earlier in the literature.DiscussionPsychometric characteristics of the Dutch version of RPQ proved excellent to good, and can the instrument therefore be applied for research purposes and in daily clinical practice.

Post-Concussion Symptoms in Complicated vs. Uncomplicated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients at Three and Six Months Post-Injury: Results from the CENTER-TBI Study

“…The RPQ was collected by telephone and face-to-face interviews, or per postal or web-based questionnaires (Table S1). The questionnaire was translated into 18 languages and linguistically validated [23,27].…”

Translation and Linguistic Validation of Outcome Instruments for Traumatic Brain Injury Research and Clinical Practice: A Step-by-Step Approach within the Observational CENTER-TBI Study

“…Second, besides the selection of translators, the integration of extensive international harmonization panels and the good to excellent psychometric properties of the translated and linguistically validated PROMs described in von Steinbuechel et al [32], as well as in van Praag et al [54] and in Plass et al [55], underline the quality of our translations of the instruments based on the procedure applied. Furthermore, we found face-to-face or video conferences very helpful during this procedure to enhance coherence across all languages.…”

“…Translators did not need to provide a language certificate but needed to be native speakers, fluent in English, experienced in the care of patients in the field of TBI, and preferably in outcome assessment. The effectiveness of this type of selection of professionals was also reflected in the good to excellent psychometric quality of the translations [53][54][55]. As the labor-intensive procedures required a pragmatic approach with an efficient use of limited resources, only one formal forward translation was carried out for the non-core or not additionally prioritized instruments (i.e., GOAT, GAD-7, PHQ-9, RPQ, TMT-A, B, RAVLT, and CANTAB).…”

Unmet health care needs over the first 2 years after pediatric traumatic brain injury

“…It is widely used to assess changes in symptoms over time [80][81][82] , as the questionnaire addresses common long-term symptoms after TBI of all severities, such as fatigue, memory complaints, emotional problems, headache, and dizziness. The RPQ has high construct validity, and the Cronbach alpha for internal consistency was 0.93 in a Dutch CENTER-TBI-related study 83 . We used the RPQ in the acute phase and at all follow-ups.…”