Development of the Italian version of the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure: translation, internal reliability, and construct validity in patients undergoing rehabilitation after total hip and knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Purpose To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure into Italian, examine its internal reliability, and construct validity in a rehabilitation setting. Materials and methods The translation process consisted of two forward translations, a pre-final version, a back-translation, and a final version, in accordance with available guidelines. We administered the Italian version of the CARE measure to 101 patients hospitalised for rehabilitation after total hip or total knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA). We assessed face validity, internal reliability, and construct validity. Results Face validity was high. Patients answered all questions and the “does not apply” option was never selected. Internal reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.962) resulted in line with the original version. The exploratory factor analysis confirmed the unidimensional structure of the CARE measure with 74.82% of variance explained by the first factor. Conclusions The Italian version of the CARE measure showed high face validity. Internal reliability and construct validity were in line with the original version in patients undergoing rehabilitation after THA and TKA. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Internal reliability and construct validity of the Italian version of the CARE measure are in line with those of the original version of the CARE measure. The Italian CARE measure can be used to assess patient’s perceived therapist’s empathy in patients undergoing physical therapy after THA and TKA. Physiotherapists should use the CARE measure with more caution in other rehabilitative contexts.