The psychometric properties of the PABS-PT in neck pain patients: a validation study
J-H A M Mutsaers1, A L Pool-Goudzwaard2, R W J G Ostelo3
1Dept of General Practice, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Avans Hogeschool, University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 90116, 4800 RA Breda, The Netherlands.
Objective:
This study aims to assess the reliability and validity of the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS-PT) in neck pain patients. Three research goals were formulated. (1): to reexamine the factor structure of the PABS-PT, (2) to assess the test-retest reliability of the PABS-PT and (3) to determine the construct validity of the biomedical factor of the PABS-PT.
Methods:
Manual therapists (n = 272) included in this study participated in an educational upgrade program for a professional masters' degree in the Netherlands and completed the Health Care Providers' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale and the PABS-PT. Principal Axis Factor analysis was performed and correlation coefficients were calculated. In addition, Bland and Altman plots and the smallest real difference were determined.
Results:
We performed factor analysis on 182 questionnaires and test-rest calculations on 73 questionnaires. The principal factor analysis confirmed the existing interpretable 2-factor model of a 'biomedical treatment orientation' and a 'behavioral treatment orientation'. Test-retest reliability was 'moderate' to 'good' and construct validity for the biomedical factor was 'moderate' to 'substantial'.
Conclusion:
The PABS-PT shows a consistent factor structure and good test-retest reliability and construct validity. More research is needed to gain further insight in the interplay between implicit and explicit attitudes and the dynamics of the PABS-PT score across different body parts.
