Questionnaire on subjective musculoskeletal complaints
Adaptations in easy to read language
Introduction
A limited number of studies have indicated that individuals with disabilities or health impairments are more prone to musculoskeletal disorders; however, the survey procedure is problematic in this context. Due to the lack of transferability, it was necessary to develop a questionnaire that is adapted to the needs of employees with disabilities (e.g., who work in inclusive companies) and people with a low level of education or poor knowledge of German, using easy to read language and supportive communication. The objective of this questionnaire is to record any subjective complaints in the musculoskeletal system as well as the causes and resulting work impairment.
Methods
The German version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire from the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) was employed as a template for the questionnaire on subjective musculoskeletal complaints in people with disabilities. Additionally, elements from the German Pain Questionnaire and the Multidimensional Pain Questionnaire in Professional Dance were incorporated. The new questionnaire was developed following a cognitive interview with five respondents with mental disabilities. The following cognitive techniques were employed. In order to elicit the desired responses, respondents were asked to demonstrate an understanding of the questions, to provide information that was relevant to the topic under discussion, and to employ a sorting technique.
Results
The German version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was translated into easy to read language and adapted by enlarging the illustrations and labelling the front and back of the people depicted. In addition, an explanatory sentence was added to all illustrations. Furthermore, questions on the duration, cause and handling of complaints at work from the German Pain Questionnaire and the Multidimensional Pain Questionnaire in Professional Dance were used and shortened by reducing the number of possible answers.
Discussion
The questionnaire was adapted to the needs of people with disabilities (including employees in inclusion companies) or people with a low level of education or poor knowledge of German. As the variety of disabilities and the degrees vary among employees with disabilities, the general applicability of the questionnaire is therefore limited; however, the knowledge gained can be used to develop specially adapted health promotion measures and improve health in the long term.
