Psychology RootsMcGill Pain Questionnaire
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About McGill Pain Questionnaire
Scale Name
McGill Pain Questionnaire
Author Details
Ronald Melzack
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), developed by Ronald Melzack in 1975, is a comprehensive tool designed to provide a quantitative profile of pain’s sensory, affective, and evaluative dimensions. Published in Pain (1975), it was initially used to evaluate pain therapies and later as a diagnostic aid. The MPQ’s core component, discussed here, is a 102-word list organized into 20 subclasses across three major classes: sensory (e.g., temporal, thermal), affective (e.g., fear, tension), and evaluative (overall intensity), based on Melzack’s pain theory. Words were selected from literature and scaled for intensity by 140 students, 20 physicians, and 20 patients on a 7-point scale, with patient ratings determining final scale values (ranges: sensory 0–42, affective 0–14, evaluative 0–5, miscellaneous 0–17).
Administered via interview (15–20 minutes, longer for hospitalized patients at ~24 minutes) or written format (5–10 minutes for familiar users), respondents select the most descriptive word per subclass for their current, average, most intense, or typical pain. Four scoring methods include: 1) Pain Rating Intensity Score (PRI(S)), summing scale values (0–1.00 normalized); 2) PRI(R), ranking words with weighted subclasses; 3) Number of Words Chosen (NWC); and 4) Present Pain Intensity (PPI), a 0–5 (or 1–5) scale. The MPQ was validated with chronic pain patients (mean age ≈ 30–60 years, mixed gender, multi-country), correlating with pain severity measures. It is used in pain management, psychology, and clinical research. Access requires permission from Pain or the author.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the MPQ from Melzack (1975) or Pain, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (adults 18+ with pain issues) that the questionnaire profiles their pain experience, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 102-word list via interview or written format in clinical or research settings, instructing respondents to select one word per subclass based on current, average, or typical pain.
- Estimated completion time is 5–20 minutes (5–10 written, 15–20 interview, up to 24 for hospitalized).
- Ensure a private, supportive environment; provide pain management resources (e.g., referrals) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., oral administration, large print) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The MPQ demonstrates robust psychometric properties (Melzack, 1975). Internal consistency is high (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.85–0.90, N not specified across studies). Test-retest reliability is moderate to high (r ≈ 0.70–0.85) over short intervals, reflecting pain variability. Inter-rater reliability is strong with standardized administration.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with visual analog scales (r ≈ 0.60–0.80) and clinical pain assessments. Discriminant validity is evidenced by differentiating pain dimensions (sensory, affective, evaluative), with PRI(S) and PPI effectively distinguishing pain severity levels. Factor analysis confirms the three-class structure, supporting construct validity. The MPQ reliably profiles pain for therapeutic evaluation. Pairing with the Brief Pain Inventory or visual analog scales enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
20-Items
Reference
Melzack, R. (1975). The McGill Pain Questionnaire: major properties and scoring methods. pain, 1(3), 277-299.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the McGill Pain Questionnaire measure?
It measures pain’s sensory, affective, and evaluative dimensions using a word list.
Who is the target population?
Adults (18+) with chronic or acute pain in clinical or research settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately 5–20 minutes (5–10 written, 15–20 interview).
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it profiles pain to guide therapeutic and diagnostic interventions.
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