Translation and cultural adaptation of Brazilian Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting: conceptual and semantic equivalence

Abstract

Purpose To perform the translation and cultural adaptation of the Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH) for the Brazilian population. Methods (1) Evaluation of conceptual and items equivalence, and (2) Semantic equivalence, including the steps of (2a) Translation, (2b) retranslation, (2c) Review by the committee of judges and (2d) Pre-test. The second step was carried out by two professionals and 2b by two other professionals, 2c was formed by speech therapists, occupational therapists and educators and the 2d was carried out with 32 students, four from each age group (9-16 years old). Results (1) It was found that the concepts and items are equivalent in both cultures (British and Brazilian). In the second stage it was found that two tasks in the original procedure, pangrama classified as a phrase in the English language is used. Therefore, when performing unification of translations, an adjustment was made for the phrase pangrama in Portuguese. In 2b showed that the translation was valid and 2c was consolidated all versions produced in a single version in Portuguese, which was applied in school. In 2d there was acceptance and understanding of the students in the proposed tasks and internal consistency value of 0.701, others words, satisfactory variability. Conclusion This procedure can be applied in the Brazilian population, however new studies are being developed with the objective of providing greater reliability and validity of the instrument.