Questionnaire Translation, Adaptation, and Co-Creation of the Swedish Version of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire Child Report Short Form.

Abstract

Pain avoidant behavior is a predictive factor for reduced function in children with persistent pain. A model to explain this is the Fear-Avoidance Model of Pain (FAM). In FAM pain-related fear plays an important role in the development and maintenance of avoidant behavior. The Fear of Pain Questionnaire-Child Report Short Form (FOPQC-SF) was developed to assess pain-related fear in children 8 to 18 years old. Self-report questionnaires must be translated and adapted to the language and context where they will be used. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a Swedish version of the FOPQC-SF in collaboration with children. Translation and linguistic adaptation of the FOPQC-SF was performed using the dual-panel method in two steps. First, a bilingual panel created a first Swedish version of the questionnaire. This first version was then presented to a panel of five children without persistent pain and revised according to their feedback. Secondly, the translated and revised Swedish version of the FOPQC-SF was used for individual cognitive interviews with six children with persistent pain. The bilingual panel found the FOPQC-SF unproblematic to translate and consensus was easily achieved. Revisions were made regarding instructions, response options, item-wording and layout. The children also found the questionnaire acceptable and relevant. In conclusion, we consider the Swedish version of the FOPQC-SF to be a relevant and useful tool in research as well as in clinical practice to assess pain-related fear. Psychometric testing will provide further information about the tool's clinical usefulness.