Turkish Version of the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale-8

Self-efficacy is a psychosocial construct that reflects an individual's confidence in their ability to perform specific tasks, focusing more on one's belief in their abilities than on actual performance. This concept is especially important in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) management, as it can significantly influence overall health and treatment outcomes, and it is considered a modifiable trait.

KOA is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders worldwide, substantially impacting quality of life due to symptoms such as limited mobility, chronic pain, and joint stiffness. These symptoms can hinder daily activities and potentially lead to social isolation. In patients with KOA, a strong sense of self-efficacy can improve symptom management and increase participation in physical activities. Research indicates that patients with higher self-efficacy are more likely to engage actively in rehabilitation programs and achieve their treatment goals. Consequently, various self-efficacy measurement tools have been developed to better understand patients' perceptions of their condition and the extent of their disability, which in turn aids in formulating strategies to enhance self-efficacy and optimize treatment responses.

The Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES) is widely used to assess self-efficacy in managing pain, physical functions, and other symptoms associated with arthritis. Compared to other self-efficacy instruments, the ASES has a longstanding history and is particularly applicable to KOA. Its validity and reliability have been confirmed through several studies. Initially developed as a 20-item scale with three subscales evaluating physical function, pain, and other symptoms, a shorter version-the eight-item ASES-8-was later created. This abbreviated version includes two items from the pain subscale, four items from the other symptoms subscale, and two additional items addressing fatigue and pain prevention during daily activities. Each item is rated on a scale from 1 (very uncertain) to 10 (very certain), indicating the patient's level of confidence in managing their condition.

Although the ASES-8 has been validated in several languages, it has not yet been translated into Turkish or culturally adapted for Turkish patients with KOA. Cross-cultural adaptation of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) requires rigorous methodologies to ensure both accurate translation and the preservation of content validity. Reliable, valid, and culturally sensitive instruments are essential for developing effective interventions for Turkish-speaking patients with KOA. Therefore, this study aims to translate and cross-culturally adapt the ASES-8 into Turkish and evaluate the reliability and validity of the resulting instrument.