Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Simplified Chinese Version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale

Abstract EN

Purpose.

The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Simplified Chinese version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (SC-LEFS).

Methods.

The original English version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Simplified Chinese according to international guidelines.

The SC-LEFS and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey were administered to 213 patients with lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

Psychometric properties including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity, and construct validity were tested.

Results.

There were no floor or ceiling effects for the SC-LEFS.

The scale had high values for internal consistency (Cronbach α=0.97) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.97).

Corrected item-total correlations for every item ranged from 0.67 to 0.89.

And the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) for each item ranged from 0.78 to 1.00.

Principal component analysis revealed a one-factor structure.

Nine of ten prior hypotheses were confirmed, which further supports good construct validity within the SC-LEFS.

Conclusion.

The SC-LEFS has high internal consistency, good test-retest reliability and content validity, convergent construct validity, and a one-factor structure.

Thus, it could be regarded as a reliable and valid tool to assess activity limitations in Chinese patients with lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders.