Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes in Athletes who are D/HoH: International Multicentric Study on the Translation, Adaptation, and Validation of the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS) into Portuguese-BR, Libras, and ASL

• Grant number: 25/00498-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Paula Regina Mendes da Silva Serrão
• Grantee: Gustavo Viotto Gonçalves
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Concussion knowledge and attitudes are critical factors for ensuring athlete safety, particularly in the context of Deaf Sports. However, no validated instruments currently exist to assess these factors in multiple languages, such as Brazilian Portuguese, Brazilian Sign Language (Libras), and American Sign Language (ASL), limiting the understanding of how hearing status influences concussion knowledge. Objective: This international multicentric study, conducted between the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) and The Ohio State University (OSU), aims to translate, adapt, and validate the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS) into Brazilian Portuguese, Libras, and ASL, and to investigate the effect of hearing status on the concussion knowledge and attitudes of athletes. Methods: The project will follow four main phases, based on specific literature guidelines: 1) Translation, adaptation, and validation of the RoCKAS from English into Brazilian Portuguese; 2) Translation, adaptation, and validation of the RoCKAS from Brazilian Portuguese into Libras; 3) Translation, adaptation, and validation of the RoCKAS from English into ASL; and 4) Application of the RoCKAS in Brazilian Portuguese for athletes who are hearing, in Libras for Brazilian athletes who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (D/HoH), and in both English and ASL for American athletes who are hearing and athletes who are D/HoH, respectively, followed by comparative analysis. The data collected will enable a better understanding of the differences in concussion knowledge and attitudes between these populations, as well as across diverse cultural and linguistic contexts. This study will contribute to advancing inclusion and safety in Deaf Sports by promoting bilingual and multicultural educational and awareness strategies. (AU)