The Spanish version of the "STarT Back Screening Tool" (SBST) in different subgroups

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Clinical Research
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Low back pain is a prevalent condition in primary care.
• Screening tools are essential for risk stratification and targeted management.
• The STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) is a validated instrument for assessing prognostic indicators in low back pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To translate and culturally adapt the original English STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) into Spanish.
• To ensure the Spanish version is comprehensible and acceptable to diverse Spanish-speaking populations.
• To facilitate the use of the SBST in primary care settings in Spain.

Main Methods:

• The study employed a translation and cultural adaptation methodology.
• A multi-phase approach included forward translation, cognitive interviews for clarity and acceptability assessment, and back-translation.
• Participants represented diverse demographics including gender, age (adults and elderly), and pain status.

Main Results:

• The translated Spanish SBST was generally found to be clear and understandable.
• Participants reported more difficulty with the disability and anxiety dimensions.
• Elderly individuals and those with prior non-specific low back pain episodes experienced greater comprehension challenges.

Conclusions:

• A culturally adapted Spanish version of the SBST was successfully developed.
• The Spanish SBST is deemed comprehensible and suitable for the general population in Spain.
• Its brevity and ease of use make it a potentially valuable tool for primary care.