An examination of the psychometric structure of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory in temporomandibular disorder patients: a confirmatory factor analysis

• Main Authors: Turk Dennis C, Pascual Juan, Ferrando Maite, Durá Estrella, Galdon Maria J, Andreu Yolanda, Jiménez Yolanda, Poveda Rafael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2006-12-01
• Series: Head & Face Medicine
• Online Access: http://www.head-face-med.com/content/2/1/48

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper seeks to analyse the psychometric and structural properties of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) in a sample of temporomandibular disorder patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The internal consistency of the scales was obtained. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was carried out to test the MPI structure section by section in a sample of 114 temporomandibular disorder patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Nearly all scales obtained good reliability indexes. The original structure could not be totally confirmed. However, with a few adjustments we obtained a satisfactory structural model of the MPI which was slightly different from the original: certain items and the <it>Self control </it>scale were eliminated; in two cases, two original scales were grouped in one factor, <it>Solicitous and Distracting responses </it>on the one hand, and <it>Social activities </it>and <it>Away from home activities</it>, on the other.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The MPI has been demonstrated to be a reliable tool for the assessment of pain in temporomandibular disorder patients. Some divergences to be taken into account have been clarified.</p>