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.