Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of Hindi Version of Freezing of Gait-Questionnaire

Freezing of gait is a debilitating symptom in individuals with Parkinson's disease that has a negative influence on the quality of life. In order to evaluate this debilitating symptom, patient-reported evaluation tools are required. Freezing of Gait-Questionnaire (FOG-Q) is the only valid and reliable subjective assessment tool for assessing freezing of gait severity. So, a Hindi version is required for usage in the Hindi-speaking population. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Hindi version of the Freezing of Gait-Questionnaire (HFOG-Q).
The translation was done according to Beaton guidelines. 32 Hindi speaking individuals with Parkinson’s disease were assessed using the HFOG-Q, Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) I, II, and III, Fall efficacy scale (FES) & Hoehn and Yahr Staging.
32 patients (mean age 67.09 ± 6.93; 50% women) with PD were assessed with mean length of disease duration of 8.21 ± 4.6 years. The median of the H&Y stage was 3. HFOG-Q score was moderate to well associate with H&Y stage, MDS UPDRS item 2.13 (Freezing), item 3.10 (Gait), item 3.11 (Freezing of Gait), FES Score, MDS UPDRS I, MDS UPDRS II (ρ = 0.52-0.66). There is a highly strong relationship between HFOG-Q and MDS UPDRS part III (ρ = 0.71). A significant fair correlation between the HFOG-Q with PD duration and item 2.12 of MDS UPDRS (ρ = 0.33-0.45) was found.
HFOG-Q is a valid tool for assessing FOG in Hindi-speaking populations individuals with Parkinson’s disease.