Test-Retest Reliability and Translation of the Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol Questionnaire Used in the Swedish Armed Forces

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in military personnel are common, and it is important to identify those at risk so that appropriate preventive and rehabilitative strategies can be undertaken. The Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol (MSP) questionnaire is part of the implemented prevention strategy to reduce MSDs in the Swedish Armed Forces. The aims of this study were to evaluate the questionnaire's reliability and to translate it into English.

Materials And Methods: One-week test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated in a sample of 35 Swedish military personnel. Reliability was evaluated by calculations of Cohen's kappa or quadratic-weighted kappa. Percent agreement was used as a parameter for measurement error. Translation into English included forward and backward translations and expert committee discussions.

Results: Kappa values relating to physical complaints/injuries were excellent (>0.75) except for knee and lower leg MSDs and for the intensity ratings, where Kappa values were mostly interpreted as fair-to-good (0.4-0.75). Kappa values of items pertaining physical performance, physical activity and exercise, eating and tobacco habits, sleep, and perceived health ranged between 0.72 and 1. Kappa values for feeling mentally or physical prepared were 0.47 and 0.65, respectively. Most percentage agreement values ranged between 90% and 100%. The English version was found to be satisfactorily equivalent to the Swedish MSP questionnaire.

Conclusion: The Swedish MSP questionnaire was found to be highly reliable and was satisfactorily translated into English. This provides support for the questionnaire's ability to trustworthily capture the prevalence of MSDs and perceived health in military personnel. Future research is warranted on the psychometric properties of the English MSP questionnaire.