Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Reliability of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale into a Gujarati Version and Validation
YC09-YC12
Correspondence
Dr. Bhoomika Gunvantbhai Brahmbhatt,
Ph.D. Scholar, Gujarat University and Senior Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy, Ahmedabad Physiotherapy College,
Bopal-Ghuma Road, Ahmedabad-380058, Gujarat, India.
E-mail: bhumika2207@gmail.com
Introduction: Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is one of the most commonly used scales to assess wide range of patients with lower extremity problems. It was originally developed in English and later was translated to many other languages. The LEFS is currently not available in Gujarati language so there is a need to develop a Gujarati version of LEFS which can be used by the Gujarati language speaking population, other researchers and even clinicians throughout Gujarat.
Aim: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the LEFS into the Gujarati language and to test the validity and reliability of this version.
Materials and Methods: A two-stage observational study was conducted. The LEFS was initially translated to Gujarati language through double forward and backward translation and then it was cross-culturally adapted. The translation and its comparative analysis with the original version was assessed and approved by the experts of the committee formed. The reliability and validity of finalized version of Gujarati LEFS was subsequently completed with the sample size of 10 participants including both the genders for various lower limb conditions.
Results: The Gujarati version of the LEFS has high internal consistency (Cronbach’s a=0.809) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.809, 95% CI: 0.58, 0.94).
Conclusion: The translation of the LEFS into a Gujarati version was successful in preserving the semantic and measurement properties of the original version and was shown to be valid and reliable in a Gujarati population.