Validation of the Brazilian version of the RMS tactile scale (B-RMS-TS)

Abstract

This study aimed to validate the Brazilian version of the RMS Tactile Scale (B- RMS-TS) in children and adolescents with visual impairment. Ten visually impaired children and adolescents between 10 and 17 years old of an Educational Center for Visually Impaired People answered the verbalized Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), and the DAS in Braille to evaluate their dental anxiety levels. B-RMS-TS construct validity was assessed by convergent and discriminant validity. Convergent validity was tested in two ways: Pearson’s correlation between the B-RMS-TS and the overall anxiety question; Pearson’s correlation between B-RMS-TS and verbalized DAS and DAS in Braille. B-RMS-TS reliability was measured by internal consistency (Cronbach’s alfa and McDonald’s omega) and test-retest reliability (ICC). B- RMS-TS was moderately correlated to the overall anxiety question (r=0.493;p=0.147). B-RMS-TS showed excellent correlation with verbalized DAS (r=0.971; p<0.001) and DAS in Braille (r=0.934;p<0.011). B-RMS-TS was able to discriminate dental anxiety levels between male and female (p=0.008). The B-RMS-TS demonstrated excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=0.661, McDonald’s omega=0.700 and ICC=0.987; 95%CI=0.817- 0.999). B-RMS-TS is valid and reliable to measure dental anxiety levels in Brazilian children and adolescents with visual impairment.