Gobinath K1, Sabapathy S2, Monica Vidhya D1, Thangamani Ramalingam A3, Abiraman K4, Srikesavan C5
1Ganga Medical Center and Hospital, Department of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore, India, 2Trauma Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom, 3Sarvajanik College of Physiotherapy, Department of Physiotherapy, Surat, India, 4The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, India, 5Nuffield, Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Oxford, United Kingdom
Background: The Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) measures the overall impact of a musculoskeletal condition on an individual's health status. The questionnaire has 14 items, each scored from 0 to 4. The MSK-HQ total score ranges from 0 to 56, higher scores indicating better musculoskeletal health.
The Oxford Knee Score (OKS) measures the levels of pain and disability in people with knee conditions. The questionnaire has 12 items, each scored from 0 to 4. The OKS total score ranges from 0 to 48, lower scores indicating more severe symptoms.
Both questionnaires are not available in Tamil language.
Purpose: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the MSK-HQ and OKS questionnaire to Tamil and to pilot test in Tamil speaking people.
Methods: We obtained permission from Clinical Outcomes, Oxford University Innovation Ltd and followed their translation and linguistic validation methodology to translate the original English MSK-HQ and OKS questionnaires in Tamil. Firstly, two forward translators translated the original questionnaire into Tamil. Secondly, a reconciled Tamil version that would be culturally relevant was produced. Thirdly, the reconciled version was back-translated into English by two backward translators. Finally, both back translations were reviewed against the original questionnaire and a prefinal Tamil version was produced.
The study was conducted at Ganga medical centre and hospitals in Coimbatore, South India. The Tamil MSK-HQ was tested in people with any musculoskeletal condition and the Tamil OKS was tested in people with knee injuries or arthritis. Participants completed the respective questionnaire and also a feedback questionnaire developed by the research team.
Perceived ease of comprehension, response options, and completion was measured by 1-5-point scales ranging from very easy to very difficult. Input on the Tamil words used, perceived clinical relevance and usefulness were measured by 1-5-point scales ranging from excellent to very poor.
Results: Overall, the translation and adaptation process were straight-forward. Minor discrepancies in choosing appropriate Tamil words were resolved between the forward translations. The MSK-HQ did not require any cultural adaptation. Item 12 of the OKS 'Could you walk down one flight of stairs' was modified by adding 'approximately 10-12 steps' in parentheses to specify 'one flight of stairs'.
Five people (3 females, 2 males) with a median (interquartile) age of 34 (32-45) years participated in the MSK-HQ testing. The median (interquartile) duration of symptoms was 2 (1-4) years. The MSK-HQ score was 38 (38-40).
Five people (4 females, 1 male) with a median (interquartile) age of 54 (54-62) years
participated in the OKS testing. The median (interquartile) duration of symptoms was 2 (0.5-8) years. The OKS score was 36 (32-37).
Participants perceived both measures were easy to comprehend, respond, and to complete. Participants reported that the measures were relevant to their clinical condition and useful and that the choice of Tamil words was good.
Conclusion(s): Pilot results are encouraging. The psychometric evaluation of the final Tamil versions of MSK-HQ and OKS questionnaires is ongoing.
Implications: Availability of patient outcomes in the Tamil language is integral for clinic and research use in Tamil speaking population.
Keywords: Translation, Outcome Measure, Tamil
Funding acknowledgements: No Funding
The Oxford Knee Score (OKS) measures the levels of pain and disability in people with knee conditions. The questionnaire has 12 items, each scored from 0 to 4. The OKS total score ranges from 0 to 48, lower scores indicating more severe symptoms.
Both questionnaires are not available in Tamil language.
Purpose: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the MSK-HQ and OKS questionnaire to Tamil and to pilot test in Tamil speaking people.
Methods: We obtained permission from Clinical Outcomes, Oxford University Innovation Ltd and followed their translation and linguistic validation methodology to translate the original English MSK-HQ and OKS questionnaires in Tamil. Firstly, two forward translators translated the original questionnaire into Tamil. Secondly, a reconciled Tamil version that would be culturally relevant was produced. Thirdly, the reconciled version was back-translated into English by two backward translators. Finally, both back translations were reviewed against the original questionnaire and a prefinal Tamil version was produced.
The study was conducted at Ganga medical centre and hospitals in Coimbatore, South India. The Tamil MSK-HQ was tested in people with any musculoskeletal condition and the Tamil OKS was tested in people with knee injuries or arthritis. Participants completed the respective questionnaire and also a feedback questionnaire developed by the research team.
Perceived ease of comprehension, response options, and completion was measured by 1-5-point scales ranging from very easy to very difficult. Input on the Tamil words used, perceived clinical relevance and usefulness were measured by 1-5-point scales ranging from excellent to very poor.
Results: Overall, the translation and adaptation process were straight-forward. Minor discrepancies in choosing appropriate Tamil words were resolved between the forward translations. The MSK-HQ did not require any cultural adaptation. Item 12 of the OKS 'Could you walk down one flight of stairs' was modified by adding 'approximately 10-12 steps' in parentheses to specify 'one flight of stairs'.
Five people (3 females, 2 males) with a median (interquartile) age of 34 (32-45) years participated in the MSK-HQ testing. The median (interquartile) duration of symptoms was 2 (1-4) years. The MSK-HQ score was 38 (38-40).
Five people (4 females, 1 male) with a median (interquartile) age of 54 (54-62) years
participated in the OKS testing. The median (interquartile) duration of symptoms was 2 (0.5-8) years. The OKS score was 36 (32-37).
Participants perceived both measures were easy to comprehend, respond, and to complete. Participants reported that the measures were relevant to their clinical condition and useful and that the choice of Tamil words was good.
Conclusion(s): Pilot results are encouraging. The psychometric evaluation of the final Tamil versions of MSK-HQ and OKS questionnaires is ongoing.
Implications: Availability of patient outcomes in the Tamil language is integral for clinic and research use in Tamil speaking population.
Keywords: Translation, Outcome Measure, Tamil
Funding acknowledgements: No Funding
Topic: Outcome measurement; Musculoskeletal; Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Ganga Medical centre and Hospitals
Ethics committee: Ganga Medical Centre and Hospitals Ethics committee
Ethics number: 43172
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
