Measuring Pain in TBI: Development of the TBI-QOL Pain Interference Item Bank and Short Form.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a pain interference item bank, computer adaptive test (CAT), and short form for use by individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey study.

SETTING

Five TBI Model Systems rehabilitation hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals with TBI (N=590).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Traumatic Brain Injury-Quality of Life (TBI-QOL) Pain Interference item bank.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence of a single underlying trait (χ [740]=3254.030; P<.001; Comparative Fix Index=0.988; Tucker-Lewis Index=0.980; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation=0.076) and a graded response model (GRM) supported item fit of 40 Pain Interference items. Items did not exhibit differential item functioning or local item dependence. GRM calibration data were used to inform the selection of a 10-item static short form and to program a TBI-QOL Pain Interference CAT. Comparative analyses indicated excellent comparability and reliability across test administration formats.

CONCLUSION

The 40-item TBI-QOL Pain Interference item bank demonstrated strong psychometric properties. End users can administer this measure as either a 10-item short form or CAT.