Brazilian Portuguese Adaptation and Validation of the Language Screening Test for Poststroke Patients

Background: There is a lack of standardized assessment tools for poststroke aphasia in Brazil, particularly bedside screenings for early identification of patients with suspected language disorders. The Language Screening Test (LAST) is a valid and reliable method for screening hospitalized patients following a stroke. This tool was first developed in French and then translated and validated in other languages. Purpose: This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the LAST into Brazilian Portuguese. Method: Following a systematic, multistep approach to translation and cultural adaptation of language instruments, this study developed the two parallel versions of the Brazilian Portuguese LAST (pLAST) Versions A and B. The final versions were applied to 70 healthy and 30 poststroke adults across age and educational levels. Subtests of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) were used to assess the external validity of the pLAST. Results: Findings showed that the two versions (A and B) of the pLAST were equivalent (intraclass correlation coefficient=.91; p<.001). No floor or ceiling effects were observed, and internal validity was excellent (Cronbach’s α=.85) Moreover, its external validity against the BDAE was moderate to strong. Test sensitivity and specificity were 0.88 and 1, respectively, and accuracy was 0.96. Conclusion: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the LAST is a valid, simple, easy, and rapid test to screen poststroke aphasia in hospital settings.