Psychometric Validation of the Japanese Version of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory

PLoS One. 2015 Nov 24;10(11):e0143350. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143350. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI-J).

Design: Cross-sectional study design.

Subjects and methods: The original Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) was translated into Japanese according to published guidelines. Subsequently, an observational study of 60 Japanese patients suffering from neuropathic pain was performed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the NPSI-J.

Results: The NPSI-J exhibited a statistically significant correlation with pain intensity (Numerical Rating Scale). The Cronbach alpha value for Likert items was 0.86. Using the test-retest analysis method, the intraclass correlation coefficient between the two scores was 0.81. Factor analysis revealed that the main component of NPSI-J comprised three determinative factors.

Conclusions: The NPSI-J is a reliable and valid pain assessment tool.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuralgia / diagnosis*
  • Neuralgia / etiology
  • Pain Measurement / methods*
  • Psychometrics / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

Funded by Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development Grant (H27-itami-shitei-001) to MS (URL: http://www.amed.go.jp) and Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare Science Research Grant (H23-itami-ippan-002) to KT and MS (URL: http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.