Cross-cultural translation and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) in patients with low back pain

To cross-culturally translate the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) in Italian and to assess its psychometric properties in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) BBQ was cross-culturally translated into Italian (BBQ-I) language. The BBQ-I, together to other measurement instruments was administered to adult subjects with chronic LBP. Psychometric properties structural validity (explanatory factor analysis [EFA]) internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), measurement error (standard error of the measurement [SEM], minimal detectable change [MDC]), and construct validity (hypothesis testing) were studied. 119 subjects with chronic LBP were included. The BBQ-I demonstrated high acceptability. EFA revealed a four-factor structure; however, only first factor was considered for the psychometric analyses. High internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.804) and moderate test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.728) were obtained. A SEM of 3.9 points and a MDC of 10.8 points were reported. Construct validity was moderate, with four out of six (66.7%) hypotheses were met. The BBQ-I exhibited moderate psychometric properties, providing clinicians and researchers with a valuable tool for assessing beliefs about LBP in Italian-speaking populations. However, limitations include data collection in a single setting and the need for further assessment of content validity and responsiveness. The Back Beliefs Questionnaire is a reliable, and easy-to-use patient-reported outcome measure.The Back Beliefs Questionnaire was cross-cultural validated in the Italian language.The Back Beliefs Questionnaire presented high internal consistency and a moderate test-retest reliability and construct validity in subjects with low back pain.The Back Beliefs Questionnaire can be used in clinical practice by Italian physiotherapists to assess subjects with low back pain. The Back Beliefs Questionnaire is a reliable, and easy-to-use patient-reported outcome measure. The Back Beliefs Questionnaire was cross-cultural validated in the Italian language. The Back Beliefs Questionnaire presented high internal consistency and a moderate test-retest reliability and construct validity in subjects with low back pain. The Back Beliefs Questionnaire can be used in clinical practice by Italian physiotherapists to assess subjects with low back pain.