Psychometric properties of the Hindi version of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain

Study Design. Prospective cohort study. Objective. To translate, adapt, and establish psychometric properties of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) for Hindi-speaking patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. Summary of Background Data. The FABQ is a patient-reported measure to assess beliefs regarding how physical activity and work are influenced based on fear related to low back pain. Methods. Standardized translation guidelines were implemented to confirm Hindi-version of the FABQ (FABQ-H). A cross-sectional study design was utilized. Construct validity analysis included factor analysis of the FABQ and use of Pearson correlation coefficients to report convergent and divergent validity. Reliability assessment included calculation of intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach α for internal consistency. Outcome measures consisted of Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) Hindi, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). Results. In total, 100 patients with chronic non-specific low back pain were recruited, with a mean age of 36.89 (±7.78). Factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure of the FABQ, which consisted of subscales FABQ Physical activity, FABQ Work, and FABQ Work prognosis. Convergent validity analysis demonstrated a moderate correlation between FABQ-H and TSK (r = 0.413). Divergent validity analysis displayed a moderate correlation between FABQ-H and NRS (r = 0.362) and RMDQ Hindi (r = 0.399). ICC value for the FABQ-H was observed as 0.938 indicating high significance for test–retest reliability. Cronbach α for the FABQ-H was recorded as 0.806 demonstrating high internal consistency. Conclusion. A successful translation and adaptation of the Hindi version of FABQ is reported in this study. The three-factored FABQ-H exhibited satisfactory construct validity, test–retest reliability, and internal consistency. Based on findings of this study, the FABQ-H can be implemented in Hindi-speaking patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP). Level of Evidence: