Abstract
A procedure for the evaluation of fluctuations in perceived pain intensity among chronic pain patients is described, and its psychometric properties and clinical and heuristic utility are examined. A heterogeneous sample of 97 chronic pain patients recorded 2 weeks of hourly self-monitored pain intensity (SMPI), completed a structured interview and several questionnaires, and established behavioral goals prior to participation in a pain rehabilitation program. Three variables were derived from the SMPI data: mean SMPI, variability, and number of missing observations. A series of analyses supported both the test-retest reliability and the concurrent validity of SMPI. Significant correlations with measures of depression, anxiety, marital satisfaction, perceived life interference, and activity levels were interpreted as support for the conceptual validity of SMPI within a cognitive-behavioral perspective. The utility of SMPI in predicting rehabilitation outcomes was also demonstrated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beck, A. T., Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., and Erbaugh, J. (1961). An inventory for measuring depression.Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 4: 561–571.
Budzynski, T., Stoyva, J., Adler, L. S., and Mullaney, D. J. (1973). EMG biofeedback and tension headache: A controlled outcome study.Psychosom. Med. 35: 484–496.
Chapman, C. R. (1976). Measurement of pain: Problems and issues. In Bonica, J. J., and Albe-Fessard, D. (eds),Advances in Pain Research and Therapy, Vol. 1.
Chapman, C. R., Casey, K. L., Dubner, R., Foley, K. M., Gracely, R. H., and Reading, A. E. (1985). Pain measurement: An overview.Pain 22: 1–3.
Davis, G. C., Buchsbaum, M. S., and Bunney, W. E. (1978). Naloxone decreases diurnal variation in pain sensitivity and somatosensory evoked potentials.Life Sci. 23: 1449–1460.
Flor, H., Kerns, R. D., and Turk, D. C. (1987). The role of the spouse in the maintenance of chronic pain.J. Psychosom. Res. 31: 251–259.
Follick, M. J., Ahern, D. K. and Laser-Wolston, N. (1984). Evaluation of a daily activity diary for chronic pain patients.Pain 19: 373–382.
Fordyce, W. E. (1976).Behavioral Methods for Chronic Pain and Illness, Mosby, St. Louis.
Frederickson, R. C. A., Burgis, V., and Edwards, J. D. (1977). Hyperalgesia induced by naloxone follows diurnal rhythm in responsivity to painful stimuli.Science 198: 756–758.
Glynn, C. J., and Lloyd, J. W. (1976). The diurnal variation in perception of pain.Proc. Roy. Soc. Med. 69: 9–12.
Haynes, S. N. (1978).Principles of Behavioral Assessment, Gardner Press, New York.
Karoly, P. (1985).Measurement Strategies in Health Psychology. John Wiley, New York.
Keefe, F. J., Brown, C. J., Ziesat, H., and Scott, D. (1983). Behavioral assessment of chronic pain. In Keefe, F. J., and Blumenthal, J. (eds.),Assessment Strategies in Behavioral Medicine, Grune & Stratton, New York, pp. 321–350.
Kerns, R. D. Haythomthwaite, J. (1987). Depression among chronic pain patients: cognitive-behavioral analysis and rehabilitation outcome.J. Cons. Clin. Psychol., (in press)
Kerns, R. D., Turk, D. C., and Rudy, T. E. (1985). The West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory.Pain 23: 345–356.
Kerns, R. D., Turk, D. C., Holzman, A. D., and Rudy, T. E. (1986). Comparison of cognitive-behavioral and behavioral approaches to the outpatient treatment of chronic pain.Clin. J. Pain 1: 195–203.
Locke, H. J., and Wallace, K. M. (1959). Short marital adjustment and prediction tests: Their reliability and validity.Marriage Family Living 21: 251–255.
Melzack, R. (1975). The McGill Pain Questionnaire: Major properties and scoring methods.Pain 1: 277–299.
Melzack, R., and Torgerson, W. S. (1971). On the Language of pain.Anesthesiology 34: 50–59.
Nelson, R. O., and Haynes, S. C. (1979). The nature of behavioral assessment: A commentary.J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 12: 491–500.
Reading, A. F. (1980). Comparisons of pain rating scales.J. Psychosom. Res. 24: 119–124.
Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., and Luchene, R. E. (1970).STAI: Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto, CA.
Turk, D. C., and Kerns, R. D. (1985). Assessment in Health Psychology: A cognitive-behavioral perspective. In Karoly, P. (ed.),Measurement Strategies in Health Psychology, John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 335–372.
Turk, D. C., and Kerns, R. D. (1983). Conceptual issues in the assessment of clinical pain.In. J. Psychiat. 13: 57–68.
Turk, D. C., Meichenbaum, D., and Genest, M. (1983).Pain and Behavioral Medicine, New York, Guilford Press.
Turk, D. C., Holzman, A. D., and Kerns, R. D. (1986). Treatment of chronic pain: Emphasis on self-management. In Holroyd, K. A., and Creer, T. (ed.),Self-Management in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, Academic Press, New York, pp. 441–472.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported in part by VA Merit Review funding awarded to the first author.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kerns, R.D., Finn, P. & Haythornthwaite, J. Self-monitored pain intensity: Psychometric properties and clinical utility. J Behav Med 11, 71–82 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00846170
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00846170