Persian Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow Score in Overhead Athletes

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow Score (KJOC-SES) is a reliable and sensitive tool used to measure the performance and function in overhead athletes with shoulder and elbow injuries. This study aimed to culturally adapt and validate the KJOC-SES questionnaire in the Persian language. Materials and Methods: A total number of 341 healthy competitive overhead athletes took part in this cross-sectional study and completed the KJOC-SES questionnaire. To assess the reliability of the KJOC-SES, 41 professional volleyball players filled out the questionnaire at the baseline and after a 4-week interval, during the off-season. Also, we compared the scores of KJOC-SES with those of the sports/performing arts module of disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand and the 12-item short-form health survey to test the construct validity. Moreover, we investigated the internal consistency and the concurrent validity of all measures. Results: The KJOC-SES was correlated with the sports/performing arts module of the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (r=−0.559, P<0.001), and the 12-item short-form health survey (r=−0.505, P<0.001). The KJOC-SES had an excellent internal consistency (the Cronbach alpha=0.92). Also, the intra-class correlation coefficients of test-retest reliability for the 10 items of KJOC-SES were excellent (ICC=0.82, P<0.001). The new score correctly stratified overhead athletes by the injury category (P<0.001). Conclusion: The KJOC-SES is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the shoulder and elbow injuries in Iranian overhead athletes.