Abstract
Objective
The Canine Orthopedic Index (COI) questionnaire was developed to assess chronic pain
and functional impairment in dogs with orthopaedic conditions. This study aimed to
perform a linguistic validation and cross-cultural adaptation of the COI from the
original English version into Universal German and Universal Spanish.
Methods
We employed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy translation methodology,
which involves two forward translations, one reconciliation of the two forward translations,
a back translation into English, multiple reviews, and cognitive debriefing interviews
with a representative sample of dog carers. We followed a universal approach to translation,
with translators and study participants from different German- and Spanish-speaking
countries.
Results
The two independent forward translations differed by four parts for the German COI
and eight parts for the Spanish COI. Comparing the backward translations with the
original document identified 10 items or instructions in both translations that required
retranslation. Cognitive debriefing interviews with dog carers confirmed that the
translated instruments effectively conveyed the same concepts as the original version,
leading to no further changes in the Universal German COI and four minor revisions
to the Universal Spanish COI.
Conclusion
We provide linguistically validated and culturally adapted versions of the COI suitable
for use in all German- and Spanish-speaking countries.
Keywords
observer-reported outcome measures - translation - linguistic validation - canine
- orthopaedic
