The psychometric properties of the PABS-PT in neck pain patients: A validation study

Objective: This study aims to assess the reliability and validity of the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS-PT) in neck pain patients. Three research goals were formulated. (1): to reexamine the factor structure of the PABS-PT, (2) to assess the test-retest reliability of the PABS-PT and (3) to determine the construct validity of the biomedical factor of the PABS-PT. Methods: Manual therapists (n = 272) included in this study participated in an educational upgrade program for a professional masters' degree in the Netherlands and completed the Health Care Providers' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale and the PABS-PT. Principal Axis Factor analysis was performed and correlation coefficients were calculated. In addition, Bland and Altman plots and the smallest real difference were determined. Results: We performed factor analysis on 182 questionnaires and test-rest calculations on 73 questionnaires. The principal factor analysis confirmed the existing interpretable 2-factor model of a 'biomedical treatment orientation' and a 'behavioral treatment orientation'. Test-retest reliability was 'moderate' to 'good' and construct validity for the biomedical factor was 'moderate' to 'substantial'. Conclusion: The PABS-PT shows a consistent factor structure and good test-retest reliability and construct validity. More research is needed to gain further insight in the interplay between implicit and explicit attitudes and the dynamics of the PABS-PT score across different body parts.

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