Initial development and validation of a Multidimensional Pain Readiness to Change Questionnaire

Psychometric instruments that assess patient readiness to adopt pain management skills taught in multidisciplinary pain management programs have the potential to clarify interindividual responses to treatment. To date, however, such questionnaires have examined overall readiness to self-manage pain in general rather than readiness to adopt the various specific skills that are taught in multidisciplinary pain treatment. The present study describes the initial construction and evaluation of a Multidimensional Pain Readiness to Change Questionnaire (MPRCQ) that measures readiness to adopt adaptive and avoid maladaptive pain coping strategies. The MPRCQ was initially administered to patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (n = 93) and then to a replication sample of persons with acquired amputations and spinal cord injuries who have chronic pain (n = 88). The results provide preliminary support for the reliability and validity of this instrument. Further research is needed to clarify the construct validity of the MPRCQ and its clinical utility. (C) 2003 by the American Pain Society.