Knowing what we are talking about: Defining and measuring psychological concepts in the field of chronic pain

The challenge

While psychological factors are widely recognized as crucial in chronic pain development and maintenance, the evidence base suffers from significant trustworthiness issues due to vague concept definitions and inadequate self-report questionnaires.

Our approach

We are conducting a comprehensive evaluation of pain psychology measures using state-of-the-art methodologies. Our project provides in-depth, content-based analysis of self-report instruments and their individual items, addressing fundamental measurement challenges in the field.

By systematically storing validated knowledge in open repositories and purpose-built ontologies, we are creating a trustworthy foundation for future pain psychology research and clinical practice, ensuring better outcomes for chronic pain patients worldwide.

Project details

Duration

January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2029

Funding

Research Foundation Flanders (FWO)

Research team

  • Prof Geert Crombez
  • Prof Christopher Eccleston
  • Prof Annick De Paepe
  • Dr. Maya Braun
  • Julie Dendauw

Key themes

Self-report measure - Chronic pain - Person-centered approach - Content-based validity

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