Measurement Properties of the Arabic Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire in Individuals with Neck Pain

Background/Objective: Pain self-efficacy is an important determinant of pain-related disability and recovery in individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. Although the Arabic Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) has demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in individuals with chronic low back pain, its measurement properties have not been established in individuals with neck pain. This study evaluated the measurement properties of the Arabic PSEQ in individuals with neck pain. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in 118 Arabic-speaking individuals with neck pain recruited from multiple clinics. The Arabic PSEQ, Neck Disability Index (NDI), RAND-36 Health Survey, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were completed by the participants. Structural validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC_2,1)), measurement error (standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change (MDC₉₅)), and agreement (Bland-Altman analysis) were also examined. Construct validity was assessed by testing predefined hypotheses regarding correlations with comparator measures. Results: The analysis revealed a dominant one-factor structure explaining 66.4% of the variance and item loadings ranging from 0.72 to 0.89. Cronbach's alpha of 0.94 suggested excellent internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was good (ICC_2,1 = 0.85), with an SEM of 4.38 and MDC₉₅ of 12.14. Four of five (80%) predefined construct validity hypotheses were confirmed, demonstrating expected correlations with disability, physical functioning, emotional well-being, and pain intensity. Conclusions: The Arabic PSEQ demonstrated a one-factor structure, good test-retest reliability, acceptable measurement error, excellent internal consistency and sufficient construct validity in individuals with neck pain. These findings support its use as a patient-reported outcome measure with good measurement properties for assessing pain self-efficacy in Arabic-speaking individuals with neck pain.