Health and hearing: research instruments adapted to sign language - a systematic review

Abstract

Model: Systematic review. Study objective: This study was aimed at reviewing the literature of research instruments in health adapted for the use in sign language. Methodology: From BIREME, CINAHL, PubMED and ISI Web of Science database the descriptors deafness, sign language, scales and questionnaires were used locating articles published between 2008 and May 2013 in the English and Portuguese languages were used. Results: 168 articles were found, of which only 15 responded to the inclusion criteria. In these publications, 29 instruments were used and 12 of them had their translations in sign language validated. It was observed that publications with research instruments in healthcare translated, adapted and validated for use in deaf populations are still in reduced quantities. Conclusion: These findings show scarce scientific literature to support research with the deaf and the need for translation, adaptation and validation of new instruments for this population group so that it can be properly studied and watched