The Norwegian versions of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire CPAQ-20 and CPAQ-8 – validation and reliability studies

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the translated Norwegian version of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ-20) and the shorter version CPAQ-8 based on the same data.

Method: The sample consisted of 120 women with chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain (CWP). The respondents completed CPAQ-20 and visual analogue scales (pain, fatigue, sleep problems and depression), General Health Questionnaire-12, The Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and SF-8. Confirmatory factor analyses were performed on a one-factor baseline model, the previous validated CPAQ-20 and CPAQ-8 models, as well as an exploratory generated model based on the current sample.

Results: The two-factor model of CPAQ-20 and a two-factor model of CPAQ-8 obtained adequate model fit and outperformed the baseline model. The exploratory factor, analysis-generated two-factor model obtained only a marginally better fit, supporting the two-dimensional model of CPAQ-20. CPAQ-20 and CPAQ-8 had Cronbach’s alphas between 0.75 (Pain Willingness subscales both versions) and 0.85. Both scales correlated significantly in the hypothesised direction with all the other scales.

Conclusion: The Norwegian versions of CPAQ-20 and CPAQ-8 are reliable assessment tools with good construct validity for measurement of acceptance. Future studies should validate the scales in other Norwegian samples.

Implication for Rehabilitation

• CPAQ-20 and CPAQ-8 are valid Norwegian instruments for measuring acceptance of pain.

• Acceptance of pain is an important process in the rehabilitation of persons with chronic widespread pain.

• Treatment models supporting acceptance can now be developed and measured further in Norway.

Keywords:

• Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire
• CPAQ-20
• CPAQ-8
• Norway
• pain
• reliability
• validation

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interests to declare.

Funding information

The data were collected in a study financed by the Research Council of Norway (NRC 182014/V50).