Using the ICF Framework in the cross-cultural adaption of outcome measures

What is it about?

This paper proposes a preparation step when cross-culturally adapting an outcome measure, where meaningful concepts within the outcome measure are defined using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.

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Why is it important?

The use of guidelines in the translation and cultural adaptation of an outcome measure is recommended to ensure equivalence between the original and adapted version of the measure. Presently, the Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Objectively-Assessed Outcome measure (TCCA-OAO) procedure is the only validated guideline for cross-cultural adaptation of performance-based outcome measures. However, a limitation of this procedure is the lack of a process to ensure conceptual equivalence. The proposed preparation step in this paper aims to better address conceptual equivalence within the TCCA-OAO procedure.