Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Simplified Chinese Version of Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6.

Objective: This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the latest Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT6) into simplified Chinese.

Design: This study adopted a mixed design with both qualitative and quantitative methods. The quantitative part of the study adopted a repeated measures design.

Setting: The translation and revision process were completed through online communications. The validation process was performed in person at the athletes' normal training facilities.

Participants: Thirty-two healthcare professionals and twenty-one athletes were invited into the expert panel and end-user panel for the qualitative part of the study. Thirty-nine elite or collegiate athletes were included in the quantitative part of the study.

Independent variables: No independent variables were assumed in the translation and the expert appraisal processes. Administrators were the independent variables for the inter-rater study and the testing sessions for the test-retest study.

Main outcome measures: Expert opinions were collected during the translation and appraisal process. Testing scores and time of completion were obtained from test-retest study and inter-rater examinations.

Results: Revision and alterations of the Chinese SCAT6 and supplementary materials were made according to the reviews from experts and end users. The internal consistency and the inter-rater reliability of the simplified Chinese SCAT6 for all subscales were excellent [intraclass correlation (ICC) ranged from 0.83 to 0.999], the test-retest reliability for all subscales were moderate to excellent (ICC ranged from 0.51 to 0.92). The average time to complete was 20.2 ± 3.5 minutes.

Conclusion: The simplified Chinese SCAT6 is a valid sport concussion assessment instrument for mainland China end users.