The following is a summary of “Preliminary Validation of the Pain Relief Motivation Scales,” published in the January 2024 issue of Pain by Letzen et al.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to develop and validate the Pain Relief Motivation Scales (PRMS), using revised reinforcement sensitivity theory to assess the role of the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS) in pain relief motivation.
They adapted RS-theory questions for pain relief motivation and conducted an international study among adults with chronic pain. A total of 506 participants completed baseline and one-week surveys (2021). The sample was split into 253 groups for factor analyses: exploratory and confirmatory. Psychometric properties were assessed on the combined dataset.
The results showed a 5-factor model (21 items) was optimal, comprising hopelessness about pain relief (BIS), hesitancy in pain treatment (BIS), treatment persistence (BAS), relief reactivity (BAS), and lastly, risky relief-seeking (BAS). Internal consistency ranged from acceptable to good (Cronbach alpha = 0.68 to 0.80), and test-retest reliability was satisfactory (Intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.71 to 0.88). Construct validity varied between weak and moderate levels, ranging from r=0.02 to 0.45.
Investigators concluded that pioneering the measurement of pain relief motivation, analysis suggests the BIS-BAS model holds promise, though further refinement is needed.
Source: journals.lww.com/clinicalpain/abstract/2024/01000/preliminary_validation_of_the_pain_relief.6.aspx