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Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire
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About Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire
Scale Name
Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire
Author Details
Ronald Melzack
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) is a concise self-report instrument designed to assess the multidimensional nature of pain, capturing its sensory, affective, and evaluative components. Developed in 1987 by Ronald Melzack, the SF-MPQ is a streamlined version of the original McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), created to maintain the comprehensive assessment of pain while reducing administration time for use in clinical and research settings. Initially validated in populations with chronic and acute pain, including postoperative pain and musculoskeletal conditions, the SF-MPQ has become a widely used tool across diverse contexts, such as cancer, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain.
The SF-MPQ consists of 15 pain descriptors (11 sensory, 4 affective), rated on a 4-point intensity scale (0 = “none” to 3 = “severe”), a visual analog scale (VAS) for overall pain intensity (0-100 mm), and a present pain intensity (PPI) index (0 = “no pain” to 5 = “excruciating”). Sensory descriptors (e.g., “throbbing,” “shooting”) address the physical qualities of pain, while affective descriptors (e.g., “tiring-exhausting,” “fearful”) capture emotional impact. Total scores for the descriptor section range from 0 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater pain severity. Its brevity and clear structure make it ideal for busy clinical environments, while its sensitivity to treatment effects supports outcome evaluation.
Psychologists, pain specialists, and clinicians value the SF-MPQ for its ability to provide a nuanced profile of pain, facilitating tailored interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, or physical therapy. Its extensive translations enhance its global applicability, enabling professionals to assess and manage pain across diverse populations with precision and empathy.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire from a reputable source, such as peer-reviewed journals, authorized medical platforms, or pain research organizations, ensuring proper use permissions.
- Explain the purpose of the SF-MPQ to the respondent, noting that it assesses the quality and intensity of pain to guide treatment, emphasizing its quick and straightforward format.
- Provide instructions, asking the respondent to rate the 15 pain descriptors based on their current or recent pain experience, mark the VAS for overall intensity, and select a PPI score, ensuring clarity on each section.
- Approximate time for completion is about 2-5 minutes, depending on the respondent’s comprehension and pain complexity.
- Administer the scale in a private, comfortable setting, using paper or digital formats, to promote accurate and honest responses.
Reliability and Validity
The Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire exhibits robust psychometric properties, supporting its use in clinical and research settings. Internal consistency is high, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.73-0.89 for the sensory subscale and 0.76-0.85 for the affective subscale, indicating good item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is strong, with correlations of 0.78-0.88 over short intervals in stable pain conditions, reflecting consistent measurement.
Convergent validity is evidenced by strong correlations with the original MPQ (r = 0.85-0.95 for total scores) and other pain measures, like the Brief Pain Inventory (r = 0.65-0.80). The VAS and PPI components correlate well with standardized pain intensity scales (r = 0.70-0.85). Discriminant validity is supported by weaker associations with unrelated constructs, such as depression (r < 0.45), though some overlap exists due to pain’s emotional impact. Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to differentiate pain types (e.g., neuropathic vs. musculoskeletal) and its sensitivity to treatment effects, such as reduced scores post-analgesics or nerve blocks. These qualities, as reported by Melzack (1987), affirm the SF-MPQ’s reliability and validity.
Available Versions
15-Items
Reference
Melzack, R. (1987). The short-form McGill pain questionnaire. Pain, 30(2), 191-197.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the SF-MPQ measure?
It measures the sensory, affective, and intensity aspects of pain.
Who can use the SF-MPQ?
Clinicians, psychologists, and researchers assessing pain in various conditions.
How long does the SF-MPQ take to complete?
It takes about 2-5 minutes.
Is the SF-MPQ specific to chronic pain?
No, it’s used for both acute and chronic pain conditions.
Can the SF-MPQ track treatment outcomes?
Yes, it’s sensitive to changes from pain management interventions.
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