ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Mayo Elbow Performance Score is a clinical assessment to rate the performance of the elbow from a medical and/or therapeutic perspective. It is simple and efficient to operate and therefore frequently used in research as well as in clinics. However, an adequate translation of the MEPS into the German language and a verification of the quality criteria for the use in the German health system are currently lacking. GOAL OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to translate the MEPS and to review the applicability of the German version (MEPS-G) in Germany. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The translation was undertaken on the basis of a guideline for cultural adaptation. Two independent translations were created, combined and translated back into English by two native speakers. The back translations were reviewed and the German version was amended accordingly. The suitability of the final questionnaire was verified in a pretest with 73 participants. RESULTS: The MEPS was converted into the German version MEPS-G and was tested. Apart from minor adjustments, the questionnaire was translated into German without difficulty. The time to complete the assessment was on average 2.5 min (± 1.6). CONCLUSION: First analyses of the psychometric properties of the German MEPS showed identical values as the English version. The detailed quality criteria will be reviewed in a subsequent study.
