Translation, adaptation, and preliminary psychometric evaluation of the PoSSe scale into brazilian portuguese

Abstract

This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the PoSSe scale to Brazilian Portuguese and conduct a preliminary evaluation of its content validity, internal consistency, reliability, and reproducibility. A methodological and observational study was conducted following a five-stage protocol for scale adaptation. The sample consisted of 48 patients who underwent lower third molar surgery, with a mean age of 24.06 years (SD = 6.73), predominantly female (60.4%), recruited from the School of Dentistry at the Federal University of Ceará. The patients completed the translated version of the PoSSe scale and were interviewed to assess item comprehension. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), item-total correlation, and exploratory factor analysis. The translation and back-translation processes were consistent, with minor discrepancies resolved. Interviews confirmed the clarity of the items, requiring no further adjustments. The scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: D2 = 0.856, D3 = 0.883, and D7 = 0.910) across different assessment periods. Factor analysis reduced the number of factors to four domains. The PoSSe scale domain scores showed a positive correlation with the overall scale, except for the “sensation” domain on the second day (p = 0.792). In conclusion, the PoSSe scale was successfully translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese, demonstrating preliminary evidence of content validity, internal consistency, and reliability. However, further studies with more diverse samples are needed to assess its psychometric properties fully