MEASURING FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE: THE TRANSLATION AND ADAPTATION OF THE PEDIATRIC EVALUATION OF DISABILITY INVENTORY- COMPUTER ADAPTIVE TEST (PEDI-CAT) FOR IT`S USE IN GERMAN SPEAKING COUNTRIES

Background: The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) is a useful clinical and research assessment to measure functional performance in children but has limitations in content and age range. A computer adaptive... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) is a useful clinical and research assessment to measure functional performance in children but has limitations in content and age range. A computer adaptive testing version, of the PEDI (PEDI-CAT) has recently been developed. The addition of new items extends the functional performance content assessing the domains of daily activities, mobility and social/cognitive functioning of children and youth through age 20 years. While the PEDI has been translated, adapted and validated for the use in many countries, the PEDI-CAT cross-cultural use has just started throughout Europe.

Method:
Translation and back translation procedures, discussions among German speaking experts (health professionals, translator and parents) on a translated and adapted PEDI-CAT were analyzed.

Results:
Findings regarding the translation and adaptation process of the PEDI-CAT for its use in German speaking countries provide an overview of challenging steps of the translation and adaptation process. Furthermore ideas to overcome those challenges will be illustrated.

Conclusion:
More attention should be paid to the reasoning process when translating and adapting an assessment. Different groups such as parents, children, health professionals who will be using the assessment should be considered in the translation and adaption process.

Application to Practice:
Health professionals who are aiming to evaluate activity and participation in life tasks in children and youth with various disabilities will be introduced into the content and construct of the PEDI-CAT. Recommendations regarding translation and adaptation procedures will be given.