Clinimetric testing supports the use of 5 questionnaires adapted into Brazilian Portuguese for patients with shoulder disorders.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical measurement.

OBJECTIVES

To cross-culturally adapt the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) into Brazilian Portuguese and to test the measurement properties of the Brazilian Portuguese versions of the SPADI, the short form of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale, a numeric pain rating scale, and the Global Perceived Effect scale in patients with shoulder disorders.

BACKGROUND

Most instruments for shoulder disorders were developed in English. For their use in Brazil, translation into Brazilian Portuguese, cross-cultural adaptation, and testing of measurement properties of these instruments are required.

METHODS

The SPADI was translated and cross-culturally adapted according to current guidelines. Measurement properties of internal consistency, reproducibility, construct validity, ceiling and floor effects, and responsiveness of all instruments were tested in 100 patients with shoulder disorders. The patients filled out the questionnaires on 3 occasions: at baseline, 24 to 48 hours after baseline, and 4 weeks after baseline.

RESULTS

The instruments showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach alpha between .78 and .93) and a good level of agreement, as reflected by low standard errors of measurement and minimal detectable change. The reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients) of the instruments varied from 0.82 to 0.96. Most instruments presented good levels of construct validity. All instruments showed acceptable levels of internal and external responsiveness.

CONCLUSION

The Portuguese Brazilian versions of the SPADI; the short form of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand; a numeric pain rating scale; the Patient-Specific Functional Scale; and the Global Perceived Effect scale are reproducible, valid, and responsive instruments for assessing patients with shoulder disorders.