The reliability and validity of pain interference measures in persons with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the reliability and validity of 2 measures of pain interference in persons with cerebral palsy (CP).


METHODS
Standardized interviews to assess pain and impact of pain on activities.


METHODS
University medical center.


METHODS
Fifty adults with CP.


METHODS
Patients asked to rate pain's intensity, interference with general activities, and depression levels.


METHODS
Pain interference scales: Chronic Pain Grade (CPG) and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI); rating of disability: Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART); rating of depression: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale.


RESULTS
Mean interference of pain on 3 CPG items (pain interference with daily activities, social activities, work) were 1.74 +/- 2.45, 1.06 +/- 2.05, and.89 +/- 1.84 (out of 10), respectively. Mean interference on 10 modified BPI interference items ranged from 2.28 +/- 3.01 to 3.67 +/- 3.15 (out of 10). The composite CPG interference score did not correlate significantly with pain intensity. However, the composite BPI interference score did correlate significantly with pain intensity (r = .66, P < .01). There was no significant association shown between average pain and the CHART score (r = -.21, NS). Pain showed a significant association with CES-D score (r = .45, P < .05). Internal consistency of the 3 CPG items was inadequately low (Cronbach alpha = .59), whereas that of the 10 BPI items was excellent (.89).


CONCLUSIONS
The pain interference items of the BPI serve as a reliable and valid measure of pain's impact on persons with CP-related pain.
Tyler
Erica J
EJ
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195-6490, USA.
Jensen
Mark P
MP
Engel
Joyce M
JM
Schwartz
Lauren
L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results