[Computerized version of the pain experience scale: a study of equivalence]

Comprehensive diagnosis of pain comprises assessment of subjectively felt pain as one necessary component. Modern approaches are multidimensional (differentiation between sensory and affective parts; multiple sub-aspects of sensory pain) and go far beyond single-item-methods, whose utility remain questionable not only regarding the contents but for measurement purposes as well. One of these modern instruments of pain assessment, the Pain Experience Scale (German: Schmerzempfindungsskala, SES), served as original for the development of a computerized version. The study aimed to establish whether this computer version is equivalent to the paper-pencil original.

Fifty-eight pain patients were recruited on admission to an in-patient pain management program. Half of them filled out the paper-pencil scale first, then worked on the computerized version. The others did so in reverse order.

Analyses of means revealed nearly identical scores for both versions. Correlational analyses (computation of reliabilities for parallel tests) showed excellent correspondence. Analyses of order of presentation showed no effect.

The two test versions are almost completely equivalent and can be used as a reliable tool in the practice of pain measurement. Moreover, validation data and questionnaire norms of the original version are completely applicable to the computerized version.