Development and Properties of the Dutch Neurophysiology of Pain Test in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This investigation aimed at determining the validity and reliability of the Dutch neurophysiology of pain test in chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS] patients with chronic widespread pain.

Methods: The Dutch neurophysiology of pain test was completed by 61 CFS patients with chronic pain and 31 health care professionals. Patients repeated the test 24 hours later.

Results: Performance on the test was better [p < 0.001] for professionals [10.71 ± 3.08] than for patients [5.95 ± 2.99], supporting the validity of the test. Test–retest reliability [ICC = 0.756] and internal consistency [Cronbach's α = 0.769] were fair for CFS patients.

Conclusion: The Dutch neurophysiology of pain test appears valid and reliable in CFS patients with chronic pain.

KEYWORDS. :

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• chronic pain
• neurophysiology pain test
• validity
• reliability

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Mira Meeus is financially supported by a PhD grant [G807: “Chronic pain in chronic fatigue syndrome: A biopsychosocial approach”] supplied by the Higher Institute of Physiotherapy, Department of Health Sciences, University College Antwerp, Belgium and co-financed by Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy—Vrije Universiteit Brussel [VUB], Brussels, Belgium [OZR project OZ.R. 1234/MFYS Wer2].

Declaration of interest: The author reports no conflict of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of this paper.