Pain Assessment Battery (PAB)

The Pain Assessment Battery, by Bruce N. Eimer, Ph.D. and Lyle M Allen III, M.A., is a comprehensive, state of the art assessment tool for evaluating and documenting the behavioral and psychological dimensions of chronic pain syndrome, PTSD, post-concussive symptoms, and hypochondriachal and conversion syndromes. This battery assists in treatment selection and referral, helps to assess the validity of pain complaints, and aids in identifying drug-seeking propensities. The PAB's seven instruments include four tests designed for unattended computer administration, two interviews, and a behavioral and mental status checklist (Pain Coping Inventory, Pain Experience Scale, Coping Style Profile, Stress Symptoms Checklist, Pain History and Status Interview, Pain Imagery Interview, Interview Behavior Checklist).

The Pain Coping Inventory (PCI) forms the centerpiece of the PAB. The 92-item self-administered PCI assesses the behavioral, cognitive and psychological dimensions of chronic pain.

The 38-item Stress Symptoms Checklist (SSCL) yields individual and summary ratings of associated physical and psychological complaints. The SSCL measures anxiety, and has two major factors assessing PTSD and "pain and impairment". The SSCL has fully integrated outcomes assessment features to chart treatment progress.

The Pain Experience Scale identifies primary pain source areas, quantifies pain frequency and severity, and elicits qualitative pain descriptors. This brief questionnaire supplements the PCI using the 0 - 10 rating form that is characteristic of many pain assessments. The PES also provides McGill-like adjectives which the patient selects to describe his or her pain. The PES can be self-administered using paper and pencil or computer, and can be added to a CogShell Battery definition using components from the PAB or other instruments from CogniSyst.

The Coping Style Profile is a simple 9 item questionnaire that classifies a person's preferred modalities for coping with problems such as chronic pain. The CSP is an extension of Arnold Lazarus's "BASIC ID" concept, and may be useful in both assessment and planning pain treatment. The CSP can be self-administered using paper and pencil or computer, and can be added to a CogShell Battery definition using components from the PAB or other instruments from CogniSyst.

The Pain History and Status Interview is a productivity tool that identifies primary pain source and secondary pain reception areas, elicits a pain history, and documents physical, medical, social and vocational variables associated with the pain's onset, course and current status. The PHxS is administered with paper and pencil, and the results are entered into the PHxS software in order to generate an editable textual summary of the patient condition. The PHxS is not self-administered, but can provide background text that can form the basis of the clinical assessment.

The Pain Imagery Interview is a 54 item qualitative questionnaire that elicits primary pain images, negative cognitions and emotions, pain relief images and positive cognitions which can be used in treatment. It also assesses historical factors associated with pain, such as past trauma and abuse. The PII is especially useful for those using EMDR, hypnosis or other treatment techniques employing imagery. The PII can be self-administered using paper and pencil or computer, and can be added to a CogShell Battery definition using components from the PAB or other instruments from CogniSyst.

The Interview Behavior Checklist provides adjectives that conveniently document the clinician's observations of the patient's mental status and session behavior. The six areas covered by the IBCL include orientation, speech, affect/mood, attitude/manner, task orientation and physical appearance.