Objective: To translate and validate a Thai language version of the FOG-Q. In addition, to develop a short-version 4-item question or FOG-Quick questionnaire was developed.

Background: Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most devastating symptoms in advanced Parkinson’ disease (PD). The detection of FOG is a challenge for physicians due to its episodic conditions and various presentations. The original 6-item English version of freezing of gait questionnaire (FOG-Q) has been developed for quantification of FOG.

Method: The original English version of the FOG-Q was translated into Thai language with back translation and cross-cultural modifications to assure content validity. Retrospective analysis and expert opinions were used to identify the 4 most relevant symptoms previously identified as part of the FOG-Q. The resulting 4-items were developed into the FOG-Quick questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the FOG-Quick were assessed with a random sample of 30 PD patients. Concurrent validity using Kendall’s correlation between the FOG-Quick score and interpretation of FOG by two independent physicians using patient’s self-shot videos was performed. Agreement of physicians’ interpretation of FOG was assessed with Cohen’s Kappa coefficient. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was calculated for cut-off FOG-Quick scores as well as sensitivity and specificity.

Results: Content validity of the Thai translation of the 4-item FOG-Q (FOG-Quick) questionnaire was conducted with the index of item-objective congruence (IOC), and all items received a score of more than 0.6. Agreement of FOG interpretation between the two independent physicians, assessed with Cohen’s Kappa coefficient, was 0.93. Concurrent validity using Kendall correlation between FOG-Quick score and interpretation of FOG by physicians was 0.68 (p = 0.01). Reliability, documented with Cronbach’s alpha of all items, was 0.97. ROC analysis calculated FOG-Quick cut-off scores at ≧ 6 points for effective screening of FOG (sensitivity 95%, specificity 90%).

Conclusion: We report the development of a Thai translation of the 4-item FOG-Q called FOG-Quick. FOG-Quick is a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of FOG in Thai PD patients.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/freezing-of-gait-in-parkinsons-disease-a-4-item-fog-quick-questionnaire-assessment/