A Structured Framework for Translation of the ACNS Standardized Critical Care EEG Terminology Into Spanish

Purpose: The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) Critical Care EEG Terminology provides standardized language for describing electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in critically ill patients but has not been formally translated into Spanish. We aimed to develop a consensus-based Spanish translation of the ACNS Critical Care EEG Terminology using a multi-phase methodology involving physicians from Spanish-speaking countries. Methods: This qualitative study aimed to establish a standardized Spanish ACNS Critical Care EEG terminology through a three-phase process: Phase 1: Initial iterative translation by 14 Spanish-speaking physicians working in subgroups. Discrepancies were documented for further discussion. Phase 2: Focus groups with specialists practicing in Spanish-speaking countries, guided by qualitative research experts. Sessions explored terminology preferences, implementation challenges, and regional variations. Phase 3: Qualitative analysis and final consensus using a modified Delphi methodology. Ranked choice voting analysis to achieve ≥75% consensus was used and when needed, a two-option runoff determined the final selected term. Results: Forty-five physicians from all Spanish-speaking countries except Nicaragua participated in 10 focus groups to review 25 terms. Seven terms generated two possible Spanish translations, four generated three, five generated four, and nine generated five. A consensus-based Spanish terminology was established, prioritizing semantic fidelity to the ACNS terminology while also accounting for terms already in wide regional use. Examples of final consensus terms included: Generalized Periodic Discharges → Descargas Periódicas Generalizadas (98%, Round 1); Lateralized Rhythmic Delta Activity → Actividad Delta Rítmica Lateralizada (100%, round 1); and Sharp Wave → Onda Aguda (82%, round 1). The outdated term periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges remained widely used because of familiarity among intensivists. Conclusions: This effort provides the first structured Spanish adaptation of the ACNS Critical Care EEG terminology. The resulting lexicon reflects linguistic diversity across regions and supports consistent communication, training, research, and broader adoption of evidence-based continuous EEG practices.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology
Published
2026-10-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/wnp.0000000000001303
Primary Topic
linguistics and terminology studies
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article
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article

A Structured Framework for Translation of the ACNS Standardized Critical Care EEG Terminology Into Spanish

Manuel Vides-Rosales, Iván Gaona, Maritza Beato, Jean Paul Vergara et al.
Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology
linguistics and terminology studies
article

A Structured Framework for Translation of the ACNS Standardized Critical Care EEG Terminology Into Spanish

Manuel Vides-Rosales, Iván Gaona, Maritza Beato, Jean Paul Vergara, Mónica Beatriz Perassolo, Arnold Thompson, Maria Bruzzone, Nicolás Garófalo Gómez, Cynthia Florentín, Carlos Alva‐Díaz, Paloma Balugo Bengoechea, Daniel Magos, Juan Enrique Bender del Busto, Reinaldo Uribe-San-Martín, Jessica Daily, Andres Fernandez, Vanessa Thonon, Rosemary Frasso, Daniel San‐Juan, Elma M. Paredes-Aragón, Clio Rubiños, Mariana Legnani, Natali Sánchez Ortiz, Lucía Cibils, Adriana Ulate-Campos, María del Carmen García, Angélica Lizcano, Eunice Ramírez, Sebastián Silva-Soto, Ramiro Montenegro López, Guilca Contreras, Víctor Rivas, Saskia Bermudez R, Laura Mendoza, Jose Carlos Cordero, Humberto Su, Ivan Viñan Vazquez, Rosaly Gonzalez, Jessica Grant, Henry Hugo Galvez, Alfonso Gutierrez, Nancy Malpartida, Anna Milan, Jorge A. Mateos, Oscar Servin, on behalf of Consorcio Hispano de Monitoreo Electroencefalográfico, Ana Ramos, Victoria Fernandez, Laura Hernandez, Sixto Bogantes, Guillermo Martin Palomeque, Yamille Calle-Lopez, Álvaro-Alejandro Zavala-Reina
article en

Abstract

Purpose: The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) Critical Care EEG Terminology provides standardized language for describing electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in critically ill patients but has not been formally translated into Spanish. We aimed to develop a consensus-based Spanish translation of the ACNS Critical Care EEG Terminology using a multi-phase methodology involving physicians from Spanish-speaking countries. Methods: This qualitative study aimed to establish a standardized Spanish ACNS Critical Care EEG terminology through a three-phase process: Phase 1: Initial iterative translation by 14 Spanish-speaking physicians working in subgroups. Discrepancies were documented for further discussion. Phase 2: Focus groups with specialists practicing in Spanish-speaking countries, guided by qualitative research experts. Sessions explored terminology preferences, implementation challenges, and regional variations. Phase 3: Qualitative analysis and final consensus using a modified Delphi methodology. Ranked choice voting analysis to achieve ≥75% consensus was used and when needed, a two-option runoff determined the final selected term. Results: Forty-five physicians from all Spanish-speaking countries except Nicaragua participated in 10 focus groups to review 25 terms. Seven terms generated two possible Spanish translations, four generated three, five generated four, and nine generated five. A consensus-based Spanish terminology was established, prioritizing semantic fidelity to the ACNS terminology while also accounting for terms already in wide regional use. Examples of final consensus terms included: Generalized Periodic Discharges → Descargas Periódicas Generalizadas (98%, Round 1); Lateralized Rhythmic Delta Activity → Actividad Delta Rítmica Lateralizada (100%, round 1); and Sharp Wave → Onda Aguda (82%, round 1). The outdated term periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges remained widely used because of familiarity among intensivists. Conclusions: This effort provides the first structured Spanish adaptation of the ACNS Critical Care EEG terminology. The resulting lexicon reflects linguistic diversity across regions and supports consistent communication, training, research, and broader adoption of evidence-based continuous EEG practices.

Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US), Thomas Jefferson University (US), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (CL), Universidad de Los Andes, Chile (CL), Technological University of Pereira (CO), Universidad Científica del Sur (PE), Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (UY), Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (AR), Hospital Clínico San Carlos (ES), El Hospital General de Agudos Carlos G. Durand (AR), Hospital Universitario de San Vicente Fundación (CO), San Sebastián University (CL), University of Florida (US), Universidad de Antioquia (CO), Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia (PE), Hospital Angeles Clinica Londres (MX), Shriners Hospitals for Children - Mexico (MX), Hospital Médica Sur (MX), Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga (ES), Hospital Angeles Pedregal (MX), Universidad de Huánuco (PE), Hospital Nacional de Niños Bloom (SV), Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari (ES), Centro Universitario de Occidente (GT), National Autonomous University of Honduras (HN), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique (MQ), Hospital Nacional de Niños (CR), Hospital de Especialidades (MX), Institute of Cardiology (CO), Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad (VE), Complejo Asistencial Sótero del Río (CL), Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad del Bajío (MX), Universidad Católica de El Salvador (SV), Instituto Nacional de Pediatria (MX), Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía (MX), Honduras Foundation for Agricultural Research (HN), International Center of Neurologic Restoration (CU), Hospital Metropolitano (EC), Universidad Abierta Para Adultos (DO), Hospital de Clínicas (UY), Clínica Dávila (CL), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (ES), Hospital Universitario Infantil San José (CO), IPS Central (PY), University of El Salvador (SV)
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linguistics and terminology studies
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