Self-Estimated functional inability because of pain questionnaire for workers: a reliability and construct validity...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Musculoskeletal pain significantly impacts worker function and ability.
• Validated instruments are crucial for accurately assessing pain-related functional limitations.
• The Self-Estimated Functional Inability because of Pain questionnaire (SEFIP) is a potential tool for this assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the SEFIP questionnaire.
• To determine the suitability of the SEFIP for Brazilian workers experiencing musculoskeletal pain.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional validation study involving 190 Brazilian workers with musculoskeletal pain.
• Construct validity assessed using the Work Ability Index (WAI) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).
• Reliability tested via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and internal consistency via Cronbach's alpha.

Main Results:

• Strong correlations (r > 0.50) between SEFIP and NPRS, and moderate correlations (r > 0.30) between SEFIP and WAI domains 2, 3, and 4.
• Adequate test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.864) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.807) were observed.

Conclusions:

• The SEFIP questionnaire demonstrates good reliability and construct validity.
• SEFIP is a suitable and effective instrument for assessing functional inability due to pain in Brazilian workers with musculoskeletal conditions.