Assessing the Reconceptualization of Pain in Graduate-Entry Physiotherapy Students Using the Concept of Pain Inventory for Adults: The University of Technology Sydney Physiotherapy Student Surveys Project
- Publisher:
- Wolters Kluwer
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 2023, 37, (4), pp. 302-307
- Issue Date:
- 2023-12-01
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Introduction.Validly and reliably assessing conceptual change is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of pain science education for physiotherapy students. We aimed to 1) evaluate concept of pain before and after a 14-week pain science education university subject, 2) assess structural validity of the Concept of Pain Inventory for Adults (COPI-Adult) in postgraduate entry-level physiotherapy students, and 3) explore possible relationships between baseline variables and baseline COPI-Adult scores.Review of Literature.As the COPI-Adult is a newly developed questionnaire, there is a lack of data regarding its psychometric properties.Subjects.Of 129 enrolled students at an Australian university, 124 (96%) and 114 (88%) completed the baseline and follow-up questionnaires, respectively.Methods.In this prospective cohort study, students who commenced the degree in 2020 or 2021 completed online questionnaires, including the COPI-Adult, at the start and end of their first semester. This semester included a 14-week pain science education subject and other physiotherapy-related subjects. Higher COPI-Adult scores (range = 0-52) indicate better alignment with contemporary pain science. We 1) compared differences in concept of pain before and after the semester, 2) performed a confirmatory factor analysis on the COPI-Adult, and 3) performed exploratory regression analyses.Results.Concept of Pain Inventory for Adults scores increased from baseline (median [interquartile range]: 39 [36-44]) to follow-up (48 [44-51]). The COPI-Adult retained its 1-factor structure, with acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80). Exploratory analysis showed that previously completing a subject on pain was related to higher COPI-Adult baseline scores. Age, gender, and mental health diagnosis did not relate to baseline COPI-Adult scores.Discussion and Conclusion.Following a 14-week pain science education subject embedded within a physiotherapy degree, students improved their concept of pain. The COPI-Adult maintains a 1-factor structure in this population. Completing a previous subject on pain was associated with higher COPI-Adult scores.
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