Development of the Narrative-Based Questionnaire (NBQ) for Assessing Sensory and Perceptual Abnormalities Following Lateral Ankle Sprain: A Preliminary Study of Content Validity

Abstract

[Purpose] To develop the Narrative-Based Questionnaire (NBQ) for assessing sensory and perceptual abnormalities following lateral ankle sprain (LAS) and to examine its content validity. [Participants and Methods] Free-text descriptions of patients’ complaints encountered in clinical practice were collected from 16 physical therapists and analyzed using qualitative content analysis to generate an initial 14-item NBQ. Content validity was evaluated by 11 physical therapists experienced in the management of LAS using a 4-point relevance scale. The Item-level Content Validity Index (I-CVI) and Scale-level Content Validity Index/Average (S-CVI/Ave) were calculated. [Results] A total of 118 codes, 65 subcategories, and 29 categories were identified from 123 statements. The S-CVI/Ave was 0.76. Four items with insufficient I-CVI were removed, and three items were revised based on expert feedback, resulting in a final 10-item NBQ. [Conclusion] The NBQ demonstrated preliminary content validity as an instrument for assessing sensory and perceptual abnormalities following LAS. Further studies are required to evaluate its psychometric properties, including reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness.