Purpose: The objectives of this study were to: (1) translate the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale for Manual Wheelchair Users (WheelCon-M) into a French-Canadian version (WheelCon-M-F); and (2) evaluate the WheelCon-M-F validity evidence based on response processes, internal structure, and relations with other variables.
Methods: The WheelCon-M was translated from English to French using the Translation and Cultural Adaptation of Patient Reported Outcomes Measures - Principles of Good Practice guidelines. We used a test-retest design to examine the validity of the WheelCon-M-F with 24 community dwelling, experienced manual wheelchair users who had a variety of musculoskeletal and neurological diagnoses.
Results: The mean ± SD WheelCon-M-F score was 63.8 ± 19.9. All WheelCon-M-F items were either identical or similar in meaning to the WheelCon-M items. Clarification issues were identified with 27/63 items. Cronbach's alpha was 0.98 and the retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.87. The standard error of measurement and smallest real difference were 7.2 and 19.9, respectively. There were no floor or ceiling effects. WheelCon-M-F correlations with social support and participation were r = 0.54 and 0.78, respectively.
Conclusions: The WheelCon-M-F is a valid outcome measure for assessing manual wheelchair confidence in the French-Canadian population.
Implications for rehabilitation: The WheelCon-M-F is a valid outcome measure available for assessing wheelchair confidence, a modifiable barrier to wheelchair use. Translation of the WheelCon-M into the WheelCon-M-F allows collection of both clinical and research wheelchair confidence data using the two official Canadian languages, English and French.
Keywords: Measurement properties; WheelCon; mobility; self-efficacy; telephone administration; translation; validity; wheelchair confidence.