Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the simplified Chinese version of the functional assessment scale for acute hamstring injuries (FASH) questionnaire.

BACKGROUND

The Functional Assessment Scale for Acute Hamstring Injuries (FASH) Questionnaire is a tool to assess the severity of symptoms and their impact on function and sports ability in patients with acute hamstring injuries. The study was to cross-culturally adapt and psychometrically validate a Simplified Chinese version of the FASH (SC-FASH).

METHODS

Cross-cultural adaptation was performed in accordance with the internationally recognised guidelines of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Outcome Committee. The FASH is a 10-item questionnaire. The sample size should be 5 to 10 times the total number of items on the scale. 150 participants with acute hamstring injuries were included in this study. Cronbach's α and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to assess reliability, and correlations between the SC-FASH and the Exercise-Induced Leg Pain Questionnaire (EILP), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) were used to assess construct validity.

RESULTS

Between February and May 2025, 150 literate native Chinese speakers with hamstring injuries were recruited for a study. All the 10 items had an answer rate of 100%. The FASH was successfully adapted and translated into Simplified Chinese. Each item was appropriately correlated with the total items. Good reliabilities were observed in SC-FASH, evidenced by Cronbach's alpha of 0.88, an ICC 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96-0.98). The elimination of any one item did not result in a Cronbach's α < 0.80. Standard Error of the Mean (SEM) was 4.41. Good correlations were observed with EILP (0.68, p < 0.01), VAS (-0.62, p < 0.01), and physical function of SF-36 (0.62, p < 0.01). Moderate correlations were observed with role physical (0.46, p < 0.01), bodily pain (0.50, p < 0.01), and general health (0.44, p < 0.01). Fair to poor correlations were observed with vitality, social function, role emotional, and mental health domains of SF-36.

CONCLUSION

SC-FASH is recommended to evaluate the severity of hamstring muscle injuries and their impact on physical function and sports ability in Mainland China due to its good reliability, and validity.