Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Model Disability Survey (MDS) for Brazil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE This study has as objective the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Model Disability Survey (MDS), a World Health Organization instrument that provides comprehensive information on disability/functioning, for Brazil. METHODS This is a cross-sectional methodological study, carried out through five stages – initial translation, synthesis of translations, reverse translation, review by a specialist committee, and pre-test –, considering properties such as semantic, idiomatic, experimental, and conceptual equivalence. Translators, researchers, a mediating team, health professionals, a methodologist and a language specialist were needed to pass through the stages. Statistical analysis was produced from absolute and relative frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normality tests and content validity index (CVI) > 0.80. RESULTS The MDS has 474 items, which generated 1,896 analyzes of equivalence. Of these, 160 items had a CVI