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Spanish translation and linguistic validation of the quality of life in neurological disorders (Neuro-QoL) measurement system

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Abstract

Introduction

The quality of life in neurological disorders (Neuro-QoL) measurement system is a 470-item compilation of health-related quality of life domains for adults and children with neurological disorders. It was developed and cognitively debriefed in English and Spanish, with general population and clinical samples in the USA. This paper describes the Spanish translation and linguistic validation process.

Methods

The translation methodology combined forward and back-translations, multiple reviews, and cognitive debriefing with 30 adult and 30 pediatric Spanish-speaking respondents in the USA. The adult Fatigue bank was later also tested in Spain and Argentina. A universal approach to translation was adopted to produce a Spanish version that can be used in various countries. Translators from several countries were involved in the process.

Results

Cognitive debriefing results indicated that most of the 470 Spanish items were well understood. Translations were revised as needed where difficulty was reported or where participants’ comments revealed misunderstanding of an item’s intended meaning. Additional testing of the universal Spanish adult Fatigue item bank in Spain and Argentina confirmed good understanding of the items and that no country-specific word changes were necessary.

Conclusion

All the adult and pediatric Neuro-QoL measures have been linguistically validated with Spanish speakers in the USA. Instruments are available for use at www.assessmentcenter.net.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    H. Correia, JS Lai, M. Kallen & D. Cella

  2. Center for Healthcare Studies, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Alex W. K. Wong

  3. FACITtrans, Elmhurst, IL, USA

    B. Pérez & B. Arnold

Authors
  1. H. Correia
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  2. B. Pérez
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  3. B. Arnold
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  4. Alex W. K. Wong
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  5. JS Lai
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  6. M. Kallen
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  7. D. Cella
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Correia.

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Correia, H., Pérez, B., Arnold, B. et al. Spanish translation and linguistic validation of the quality of life in neurological disorders (Neuro-QoL) measurement system. Qual Life Res 24, 753–756 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0786-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0786-5

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