Pain Behaviour Scale (PaBS)
Original Editor - Agoro Bukola Zainab
Top Contributors - Agoro Bukola Zainab
Objective
The Pain Behaviour Scale (PaBS) is an observational scale designed to measure the presence and severity of observed pain behaviours.[1]
Intended Population
Adults with chronic pain
Method of Use
PaBS uses a set of standardised physical performance tests to assess observed pain behaviours. The specific pain behaviours assessed include sighing, breath-holding, grimacing, guarding, rubbing, and the presence of an antalgic gait. These pain behaviours are rated on a 4-point scale, ranging from 'none' (no observed behaviour) to 'severe' (marked pain behaviour). The total score ranges from 0–15 in order of increasing severity.[1]
The scale is administered during the performance of physical tests and takes 10–15 minutes.
The physical performance tests used are[1]:
- Repeated trunk flexion
- Repeated sit to stand
- Timed up and go
- Loaded reach
- 50-foot walk
The Pain Behaviour Scale (PABS)[1]
Evidence
PaBS is reported to be a simple, easily administered instrument that has potential clinical application to assess and monitor pain behaviours in people with chronic low back pain and possible other patient groups.[1][4]
Reliability
PaBS has excellent inter-rater (1.0) and intra-rater reliability (0.9). In addition, component physical performance tests (time and distance) demonstrated good to excellent test-retest reliability (0.7–1.0).[1]
Validity
PaBS has demonstrated evidence of validity in multiple areas. Research showed that the mean change in PaBS scores from baseline was statistically significant, indicating the tool’s ability to effectively capture changes in pain behavior over time. Nearly 70% of individuals improved their PaBS scores over a six-week period, with almost 40% showing a meaningful improvement of three units or more.[4]
The PaBS also showed convergent validity, as changes in its scores correlated significantly with changes in the PCS-rumination subscale (r = 0.44, p = 0.035), a known measure of pain catastrophizing.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Alamam DM, Leaver A, Moloney N, Alsobayel HI, Alashaikh G, Mackey MG. Pain behaviour scale (PaBS): an exploratory study of reliability and construct validity in a chronic low back pain population. Pain Research and Management. 2019;2019(1):2508019
- ↑ Aspetar. Standing Trunk Flexion. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORK-EJ3c9zQ [last accessed: 22/09/2024]
- ↑ Jeanette Brown-Snyder. 50-foot walk. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuudRJ8OwNQ [last accessed: 22/09/2024]
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 1. Alimam D, Alhowimel A, Alodaibi F, Alotaibi M, Alzahrani H, Almutairi N, Alqahtani A, Alrashed Alhumaid L, Leaver A, Mackey M. An Assessment of the Longitudinal Construct Validity of the Pain Behavioral Scale (PaBS) in a Saudi Population with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study. InHealthcare 2023 Jun 14 (Vol. 11, No. 12, p. 1743). MDPI.