Psychometric characteristics of the brazilian-portuguese versions of the functional rating index and the roland morris disability questionnaire

• Published in: Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976) Pa. 1976), 2007-08, Vol.32 (17), p.1902-1907
• Main Authors: PENA COSTA, Leonardo Oliveira, MAHER, Chris G, LATIMER, Jane, HENRIQUE FERREIRA, Paulo, CAMPOS POZZI, Giovanni, NOGUEIRA RIBEIRO, Rodrigo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Brazil; Cerebrospinal fluid. Meninges. Spinal cord; Comprehension; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Disability Evaluation; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Language; Low Back Pain - diagnosis; Low Back Pain - therapy; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Multiple sclerosis and variants. Guillain barré syndrome and other inflammatory polyneuropathies. Leukoencephalitis; Nervous system; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Pain Measurement; Physical Therapy Modalities; Portugal; Psychometrics; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Reproducibility of Results; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0362-2436; 1528-1159
• DOI: 10.1097/brs.0b013e31811eab33

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric testing of self-report outcome measurements. The aims of this study were to adapt the Functional Rating Index (FRI) to Brazilian-Portuguese and to test the psychometric properties of this new questionnaire and the Brazilian-Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Self-report measures are commonly used in clinical practice and in research studies. Most existing questionnaires were developed in English and there is only 1 Brazilian-Portuguese cross-cultural adaptation of a spine outcome measure. The FRI was translated and adapted into Brazilian-Portuguese according to the Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self report measures. The Brazilian-Portuguese FRI and RMDQ were tested for internal consistency, reliability, ceiling and floor effects, construct validity, and responsiveness in 140 low back pain (LBP) patients. A very high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92) and reliability [ICC = 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.93-0.97)] was shown for both instruments. The FRI and RMDQ were highly correlated (r = 0.80), while both the FRI and RMDQ were moderately correlated with pain at baseline (r = 0.67 and 0.55, respectively). No ceiling or floor effects were detected; however, the responsiveness of both questionnaires was quite small (RMDQ ES = 0.10 [84% confidence interval, 0.04-0.16] and FRI ES = 0.18 [84% confidence interval, 0.11-0.24]). The results of this study indicate that the Brazilian-Portuguese versions of the FRI and RMDQ are reliable and valid instruments for the measurement of disability in Brazilian-Portuguese-speaking patients with LBP presenting for physiotherapy treatment. Both instruments are suitable for use in clinical practice and research studies.