Development and validation of the PrePain questionnaire for predicting pain

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and construct validity of the PrePain questionnaire in both the general population and a long-term pain population. The PrePain questionnaire is an 11-item self-administered tool that assesses current pain intensity, long-term pain history, and attitudes, emotions, and behaviors related to pain using a visual analog scale (VAS). This non-randomized observational study included 200 participants: 100 individuals with long-term pain and 100 without. Participants were recruited from a specialist pain rehabilitation clinic and via social media. The study involved baseline and follow-up assessments using the PrePain questionnaire, the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI-14), and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ). Statistical analyses included Spearman correlation for test-retest reliability, sign rank-test for sensitivity to change, Cronbach's α for internal consistency, principal component analysis for subscale analysis, and mixed-effects linear regression for test of criterion validity. A total of 187 participants completed the study. The PrePain questionnaire demonstrated acceptable face validity and moderate test-retest reliability (coefficients ranging from 0.58 to 0.73). Internal consistency was α = 0.63. Principal component analysis suggested a two or three-factor solution. Criterion validity was supported by significant correlations between PrePain items and SHAI-14 and CSQ catastrophizing, except for the pain sensitivity item. No significant changes were observed in the clinical group between baseline and follow-up assessments. The resuts provide preliminary evidence for the reliability of The PrePain questionnaire and its validity for assessing attitudes, emotions, and behaviors related to pain in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Further research is needed to explore its sensitivity to change and utility in clinical practice.

Keywords: Construct validity; Long-term pain; PrePain questionnaire; Psychometric properties; Public health.