Workload assessment: cross-cultural adaptation, content validity and instrument reliability

OBJECTIVES: to adapt, validate the content and assess the reliability of the instrument National Aeronautics and Space Administration – Task Load Index, translated into Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: a methodological study, divided into five steps: translation; synthesis; back-translation; assessment of the Portuguese version by an expert committee; pre-test and content validity of the final version by health professionals working in inpatient units. The Content Validity Index (CVI) (minimum 0.80) and Cronbach’s alpha (minimum 0.70) were calculated. RESULTS: in the first round, in the agreement analysis of the translated version, three items did not reach the minimum CVI value. It was decided to remove the statement. The instrument title and items “performance” and “effort” were changed. There was consensus and approval of the final version in the pre-test step. CONCLUSIONS: the NASA Task Load Index instrument, adapted to Brazilian Portuguese, presents reliability and content validity evidence.