Transcultural adaptation and validation of a Korean version of the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for children

Background The purpose of this study was to translate and transculturally adapt the original English version of the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire (OAFQ) into a Korean version, and to evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods A Korean OAFQ for children was developed according to established guidelines. To test validity, 169 consecutive patients with foot and ankle problems and their caregivers each completed the OAFQ. The children also completed a Korean version of the KIDSCREEN-52 health related quality of life questionnaire (KIDSCREEN-52 HRQOL). To validate the Korean version of the OAFQ, reliability (child–parent agreement and internal consistency), feasibility (floor and ceiling effects), and construct validity were evaluated, and factor analysis was performed. Results In terms of reliability, Cronbach’s α values were > 0.7 in all subscales of the OAFQ (0.765 to 0.901). Child–parent agreement was confirmed by high intraclass correlation coefficients for all subscales (0.791 to 0.863). In terms of construct validity, there were moderate correlations between the subscales of the OAFQ and the subscales of the KIDSCREEN-52 HRQOL. Factor analysis revealed a three-component solution for both the child/adolescent and parent-proxy version, by combining the school and play, and footwear items into one subscale. In terms of feasibility, no floor effects were found for all subscales. However, ceiling effects were observed for the school and play, and emotional subscales for child/adolescent and parent-proxy versions. Conclusions The OAFQ was successfully translated and transculturally adapted into the Korean language; the Korean version of the OAFQ represents a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating children’s foot or ankle problems. However, factor analysis suggested the use of a three-subscale questionnaire.