Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the performance-based test–Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration^®

Background: The Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration ^® (EASI) is a performance-based assessment tool, aiming to assess sensory perception, sensory reactivity, postural/ocular/bilateral integration, and praxis in children aged 3–12 years. These types of tests are currently not available in Swedish. A structured, multistep process of translation is crucial for maintaining equivalence between the source and target version of a test. Objective: Develop a culturally adapted Swedish research version of the EASI for use in the forthcoming international normative data collection. Method: The translation process followed the first four stages in recommended guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. Each subtest was translated by two occupational therapists and merged into one Swedish version. That version was reviewed by clinical paediatric occupational therapists in focus groups. The meetings were recorded, transcribed and a content analysis was conducted. One subtest was then subjected to a back-translation process. Result: Some discrepancies regarding semantic equivalence were found and adapted through all stages. No discrepancies regarding idiomatic or conceptual equivalence were found. Revisions due to the translation process have been incorporated into the final research version of the EASI. Conclusion: A first, culturally adapted research version of the EASI is ready for the Swedish normative data collection.