Cross cultural adaptation, reliability and construct validity of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire in standard Arabic language

Abstract

Purpose

To perform cross cultural adaptation of Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire in standard Arabic language and assess the reliability and construct validity of the new tool.

Materials and methods

Cross cultural adaptation was performed according to guidelines. One hundred and one Arabic patients with carpal tunnel syndrome agreed to participate in the study and filled the questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to assess internal consistency. Test–retest reliability was assessed after two weeks by calculating Intraclass correlation coefficient. To assess construct validity; Spearman correlation coefficient with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire was calculated.

Results

Arabic Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire version had excellent internal consistency, Cronbach's Alpha was 0.877 for Symptoms Severity Scale and 0.895 for Functional Status Scale. Test–retest reliability was excellent (Interclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.899 for Symptoms Severity Scale and 0.944 for Functional Status Scale). Correlation with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire was high which reflects excellent construct validity. All results were similar to the results of previous studies.

Conclusions

Arabic Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire was produced. The tool demonstrated excellent internal consistency, test–retest reliability and construct validity. The questionnaire is suitable for use with carpal tunnel syndrome patients in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral neuropathy worldwide with many affected in Arabic speaking countries.

• Specific outcome measures like Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire are important in evaluating the impact of different interventions on patients’ wellbeing.

• The Arabic Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool to use with Arabic speaking people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

KEYWORDS:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire
• translation
• validation
• Arabic
• reliability
• validity

Acknowledgements

The original BCTQ is used with permission from Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. [8] https://journals.lww.com/jbjsjournal/Abstract/1993/11000/A_self_administered_questionnaire_for_the.2.aspx.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Deanship of Scientific Research, University of Jordan.