Pain assessment in patients with cognitive dysfunction: Adaptation and validation of the r-FLACC scale

Minors with cognitive dysfunction are at increased risk for pain and inadequate pain management. Pain assessment in children with cognitive and verbal dysfunction should be performed using specific behavioral scales. The main objective of this study was the translation and adaptation to Spanish of the revised Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (r-FLACC) scale, one of the best-rated scales for assessing pain in children with cognitive dysfunction, followed by its validation.

We carried out a prospective, observational and psychometric study in three phases: translation and adaptation, content validity analysis using mixed methods, and analysis of the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the r-FLACC scale.

We obtained an overall content validity index of 0.99, supported by qualitative data obtained in a focus group of patients' relatives. The internal consistency of the Spanish version was demonstrated by a Cronbach α of 0.876 and a McDonald omega of 0.880; and the interobserver agreement by a concordance correlation coefficient of 0.933. The r-FLACC scale exhibited the capacity to detect changes in pain severity after pharmacological intervention, with P < 0.000 in the Wilcoxon test.

The Spanish version of the r-FLACC scale proved to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing pain intensity in children with cognitive dysfunction, thus providing professionals a tool that had not been available in our area and contributing to improving the scientific evidence available on the subject.