Validation of Gujarati Version of ABILOCO-Kids Questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Clinical Assessment Tools
• Cerebral Palsy Research

Background:

• ABILOCO-Kids is a validated tool for assessing locomotion in children aged 6-15 with cerebral palsy (CP).
• The questionnaire is currently available in English and French.
• Adaptation for diverse linguistic populations is crucial for broader research applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Gujarati translation of the ABILOCO-Kids questionnaire.
• To establish the reliability and usability of the Gujarati version for clinical research.
• To facilitate the assessment of locomotion ability in Gujarati-speaking children with CP.

Main Methods:

• Forward-backward-forward translation methodology was employed for Gujarati adaptation.
• Face and content validity were established through expert consensus among pediatric specialists.
• Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating ABILOCO-Kids scores with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) in 55 children with CP.

Main Results:

• The Gujarati ABILOCO-Kids underwent rigorous validation, with most items accepted or modified based on expert review.
• Significant positive correlation found between ABILOCO-Kids and GMFM scores (r=0.713, p<0.005).
• Significant negative correlation observed between ABILOCO-Kids and GMFCS levels (r=-0.778, p<0.005), indicating strong concurrent validity.

Conclusions:

• The Gujarati version of ABILOCO-Kids demonstrates robust face, content, and concurrent validity.
• This validated questionnaire is suitable for measuring caregiver-reported locomotion ability in children with CP within the Gujarati population.
• The study supports the use of culturally adapted assessment tools in pediatric research.