The London handicap scale: validation of a Yoruba (Nigerian) version among stroke survivors

Objective To evaluate the validity of a Yoruba translated version of the London Handicap Scale (LHS). The LHS is a valid and reliable measure of participation that has been validated in different cultures, but not among Yoruba speaking people of West Africa. Methods A validation study which involved 20 post-stroke patients receiving Physiotherapy on out-patients basis as part of their rehabilitation program. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling technique between February and May, 2008. The English version of the LHS was translated into Yoruba, the language spoken by the Yoruba people of the southwestern Nigeria and other parts of West Africa using a forwardbackward translation process. The English and Yoruba versions of the LHS were completed by the participants with a two-week interval between the administrations of the two scales. Construct validity of the Yoruba LHS was assessed by testing its correlation (using Spearman’s rank order correlation) with the English version. Results Total scores on the Yoruba translated version of the LHS correlated significantly with that of the English version (rho = 0.55; p=0.002). Correlation of the domain scores on both scales were significantly correlated with the exception of 2 domains. Conclusion The Yoruba LHS is a valid translation of the English LHS and may be used for the assessment of participation of stroke survivors who comprehend Yoruba language.