Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Simplified Chinese Version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Simplified Chinese version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (SC-LEFS). METHODS: The original English version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Simplified Chinese according to international guidelines. The SC-LEFS and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey were administered to 213 patients with lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Psychometric properties including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity, and construct validity were tested. RESULTS: There were no floor or ceiling effects for the SC-LEFS. The scale had high values for internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.97) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.97). Corrected item-total correlations for every item ranged from 0.67 to 0.89. And the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) for each item ranged from 0.78 to 1.00. Principal component analysis revealed a one-factor structure. Nine of ten prior hypotheses were confirmed, which further supports good construct validity within the SC-LEFS. CONCLUSION: The SC-LEFS has high internal consistency, good test-retest reliability and content validity, convergent construct validity, and a one-factor structure. Thus, it could be regarded as a reliable and valid tool to assess activity limitations in Chinese patients with lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders.