Translation and Psychometric Testing of the Head and Neck Symptom Checklist© For Persons Receiving Radiotherapy

Abstract

Persons with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy may experience various adverse symptoms. Accurate assessment of these symptoms is essential for appropriate treatment and care. This study aimed to translate The Head and Neck Symptom Checklist^© into Thai and to evaluate the quality of the translated version, including content validity and reliability. The study consisted of two phases. Phase 1 involved translation of the instrument, including two subscales: symptom intensity and symptom interference (18 items each). Responses were rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much). A back translation method was employed, involving two independent professional translators from language institutes at two universities. Phase 2 assessed quality of the Thai version. Content validity was assessed by five experts, and reliability was tested among a sample of 30 individuals aged 18 years and older who had received radiotherapy at least two weeks. These participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital in December 2024. Data were analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.

               The results showed that the Thai version was conceptually equivalent to the original English instrument. The content validity index was 0.88, indicating a good level. Among the participants, 73.3% were male, the mean age was 58.3 years (SD = 14), 70.0% had completed only primary education, and 43.3% had oral cancer. Reliability of the frequency subscale was low (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.59), while the interference subscale demonstrated minimally acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.66). In conclusion, the Thai version demonstrates good content validity and minimally acceptable reliability for the interference subscale. However, the reliability of the frequency subscale should be further evaluated in a more diverse sample.