Translation and linguistic validation of the Chinese version of angle labor pain questionnaire

Abstract

Background: Despite having various choices of labor analgesia in modern obstetric practice, there are limited appropriate instruments to measure labor pain comprehensively. The Angle Labor Pain Questionnaire (A-LPQ) is a new, condition-specific instrument that measures the multidimensional characteristics of labor pain and experiences, yet little information is available on its use in other countries and languages. This study aimed at developing a Chinese version of the A-LPQ questionnaire. Materials and Methods: Two independent certified translators translated the English version of the A-LPQ questionnaire, and reconciliation was performed by discussing the discrepancies with a local coordinator. A third translator performed the backward translation, followed by a review by six clinicians on the reconciled version. A cognitive debriefing was done in five pregnant women during the early stage of labor to collect their feedback. After the proofreading, the final version was tested in 50 pregnant women during their labor. Results: The A-LPQ questionnaire was forward translated and was adjusted to expressive and clinical relevance in a local setting. Minor changes were done after backward translation and clinicians’ review to enable a better understanding. No changes were required during cognitive debriefing, and the subsequent finalization showed that the Chinese version of the A-LPQ questionnaire could be well understood (Difficulty level: 2.3 (SD 3.1); with 0 being fully understand, and 10 being extremely difficult to understand). Conclusion: We successfully performed linguistic validation on the Chinese version of the A-LPQ questionnaire, which is appropriate in measuring the dynamic nature of labor pain in a local Chinese setting.