title: [CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION, AND VALIDITY OF THE ITALIAN VERSION OF THE UPPER LiMB FUNCTIONAL INDEx (ULFI-I)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Outcome measures are the scientific basis for assessment and comparison of the effects of rehabilitative interventions. Among the instruments proposed for the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb, the Upper Limb Functional Index (ULFI) was recently validated and translated into several languages, but it does not yet exist an Italian version yet.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To obtain an Italian validated version of ULFI, called ULFI-I.
  
  
  METHODS
  The translation process was conducted following the international guidelines of the forwardlbackward translation. The ULFI-I was subsequently validated by calculating: (1) internal consistency (Cronbach's a and item-to-total correlation), (2) criterion validity (correlation r with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, DASH), and (3) test-retest reliability (ICC(2,1)) and measurement error (Standard Error of measurement, SEM and Minimal Detectable Change, MDC90. For the first two points we used a sample of 57 patients with upper limb orthopedic conditions, while the analysis of the. reliability required a further administration of the questionnaire carried out 3 days before on 33 subjects. I. Statistical analysis showed good levels of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=.90, item-to-total correlation between .45 and .73), high criterion validity (r=.81, P<0.01) and excellent reliability test-retest reliability (ICC(2,1)=.94, CI=.89-.97). The SEM was found to be equal to 5 points, with a MDC90 estimated at 12 points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study the ULFI-I showed good psychometric properties, combined with speed and ease of administration and scoring. Its use will facilitate the comparison of data collected in Italy with international studies, ensuring greater uniformity of assessment.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sartorio
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moroso
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vercelli
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bravini
authors.forename: Marta Elisabetta
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spalek
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferriero
mesh_terms: D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007802:Language; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*