title: [Spanish validation of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the process of cultural adaptation and validation of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) measuring symptom intensity, functional status and quality of life in carpal tunnel syndrome patients and to report the psychometric properties of this version.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 3 expert panel supervised the adaptation process. After translation, review and back-translation of the original instrument, a new Spanish version was obtained, which was administered to 2 patient samples: a pilot sample of 20 patients for assessing comprehension, and a 90 patient sample for assessing structural validity (factor analysis and reliability), construct validity and sensitivity to change. A re-test measurement was carried out in 21 patients. Follow-up was accomplished in 40 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The questionnaire was well accepted by all participants. Celling effect was observed for 3 items. Reliability was very good, internal consistency: αS=0.91 y αF=0.87; test-retest stability: rS=0.939 and rF=0.986. Both subscales fitted to a general dimension. Subscales correlated with dynamometer measurements (rS=0.77 and rF=0.75) and showed to be related to abnormal 2-point discrimination, muscle atrophy and electromyography deterioration level. Scores properly correlated with other validated instruments: Douleur Neuropatique 4 questions and Brief Pain Inventory. BCTQ demonstrated to be sensitive to clinical changes, with large effect sizes (dS=-3.3 and dF=-1.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Spanish version of the BCTQ shows good psychometric properties warranting its use in clinical settings.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España. Electronic address: angel_oteo@telefonica.net.
authors.forename: Ángel
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Oteo-Álvaro
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: María T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Marín
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Matas
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaquero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018401:Sample Size; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D014177:Translations
keywords: Calidad de vida; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Dolor; Estudios de validación; Neuralgia; Pain; Quality of life; Síndrome del túnel carpiano; Validation studies