The translation and linguistic validation of the Revised Iowa Pain Thermometer into Czech for a clinical study involving Czech stroke patients

Abstract

Aim: Patients with a stroke could benefit from vertical self-report pain instruments. Such instruments are not available in the Czech language. The aim was to translate and linguistically validate the Revised Iowa Pain Thermometer into Czech for use by Czech patients with a stroke. Methods: Three translators, three nursing expert panels, and seven patients with a stroke participated in this methodological study that took place between January and April 2017. The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research guidelines were used to direct the process. This 10-phase process was supported by quantitative and qualitative methods, such as content validity indexing and modified kappa calculations, discussions with nursing experts, as well as cognitive debriefing with patients. Results: Based on the content validity index, the modified kappa values, and the experts’ feedback, a preliminary Czech version was developed. Cognitive debriefing revealed that most patients had some difficulty using the instrument. Conclusions: The translation and linguistic validation process was demanding as it was difficult to recruit nurses and translators meeting the determined selection criteria; furthermore, many steps were required. However, using a less stringent methodology would have probably produced a Czech version that would not be as suitable for the intended target group – Czech patients with a stroke. The findings underscore the importance of involving representative users, i.e., patients with a specific health condition, in the translation and linguistic validation of self-report instruments. Psychometric properties of the Czech version will be established in a clinical study that will involve Czech patients with strokes.