Empirical Evidence of the Validity of the Spanish Version of the Pain Vigilance Awareness Questionnaire

The Spanish version of the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire has not been validated. The aims of this study were to examine the factor structure of the Spanish version of the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire and present empirical evidence regarding its validity. A sample of 468 chronic back pain patients completed a battery of instruments to assess fear-avoidance beliefs, pain anxiety, pain catastrophizing, pain vigilance and awareness, pain acceptance, depression, anxiety, disability, and pain intensity. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the validity of a nine-item version with two subscales: Active Vigilance and Passive Awareness. Both subscales and the total score were positively and significantly correlated with other fear-related constructs: fear-avoidance beliefs, pain anxiety, and pain catastrophizing. Regression analyses showed that Active Vigilance and the two subscales of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire were significantly associated with higher anxiety and that the Acceptance Activity Engagement subscale was significantly associated with lower anxiety. The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire-Physical subscale was associated with higher disability and the Acceptance Pain Willingness subscale was associated with lower disability. The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire-Work subscale was significantly associated with higher pain intensity and depression; the Acceptance Activity Engagement and Pain Willingness subscales were significantly associated with lower pain intensity and depression. The Spanish version of the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument. Pain Acceptance and Fear Avoidance beliefs are better predictors of adjustment to pain than pain hypervigilance.