Korean translation and validation of the WHOQOL-DIS for people with spinal cord injury and stroke.

Background: The QOL assessment to measure disabilities has needed to survey studies for a variety of fields. Until now, no Korean translation of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-disability (WHOQOL-DIS) module existed.

Objective/hypothesis: We translated and cross-culturally adapted the WHOQOL-DIS module into Korean, testing its reliability and validity with Korean spinal cord injury and stroke patients.

Methods: The translation occurred using the methodology recommended by WHO. Ten participants were cognitively debriefed and the psychometric properties of the Korean WHOQOL-DIS module were evaluated for reliability and validity with 85 patients (SCI = 58, stroke = 27). Concurrent validity was assessed for the WHOQOL-BREF scores. Internal consistency coefficients were analyzed using Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability (n = 30) was measured using a 7-10-day interval and analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Validity was evaluated using EFA and CFA.

Results: There was high internal consistency with the WHOQOL-BREF, (α = 0.603-0.875). Pearson's correlation was significant in the DIS module's three sub-domains (r = 0.759). EFA revealed slightly different models from the original version and there was an internal consistency difference between test and retest. The three-domain structure model with a higher-order factor fit well with the WHOQOL-DIS module's development.

Conclusions: This instrument can help evaluate the quality of life of Koreans with disabilities. Further studies with other disabilities are required for additional evidence of validity and reliability.