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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
14:56
An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
The development of the negative pain thoughts questionnaire
Ana-Maria Vranceanu1, Steve Safren, James Cowan
1Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
Summary
The Negative Pain Thoughts Questionnaire (NPTQ) effectively measures negative cognitions in orthopedic patients. High NPTQ scores predict greater pain disability, aiding in identifying at-risk individuals for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pain Management
- Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive processes significantly influence pain perception, disability, and treatment outcomes.
- Existing measures do not specifically assess negative cognitions related to medical treatment in orthopedic pain patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and conduct preliminary testing of the Negative Pain Thoughts Questionnaire (NPTQ).
Main Methods:
- The NPTQ, an 11-item questionnaire, was developed to assess pain and treatment cognitions.
- It was administered to two patient samples in a surgical orthopedic practice, with the second sample also completing depression and disability measures.
Main Results:
- The NPTQ demonstrated internal consistency and unidimensionality.
- NPTQ scores positively correlated with disability and depression, and significantly predicted disability even when controlling for depression.
Conclusions:
- The NPTQ is a brief, administrable tool for identifying orthopedic patients at risk of poor outcomes.
- It can facilitate referrals for cognitive behavioral therapy, potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries, healthcare costs, and chronic pain development.
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