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Background. The Web not only can play a role in helping patients learn about their chronic pain, but can also be a source of misleading or untrue information. This study evaluates the quality of Internet information available concerning chronic pain at different sites, and determines the relation between quality and the source and character of the Websites. Methods. A survey was conducted of patients seen at the Pain Management Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). Patients with access to the Internet identified the five most common keywords they used to look up information: pain, chronic pain, back pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. A focus group of pain clinicians at DHMC then chose the quality criteria to evaluate Websites. The criteria consisted of 16 items in five domains: etiology, diagnosis, goals of treatment, treatment options, and substance abuse. The first two pages of links displayed by each of three major search engines then were assessed for quality. Results. A total of 240 Websites were evaluated. The mean score, the Quality Website Index (QWI), was 2.17 (SD = 3.3), (range from −16 [poorest] to +16 [best]). The overall quality of this group of Websites is rather poor, although there were several excellent sites. Websites located on the main search page had a significantly higher score than those in the sponsored section, and Websites based on standards had a significantly higher score than those that were not. Conclusion. Based on QWI scores, clinicians can recommend chronic pain Websites to provide their patients with accurate and pertinent information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To evaluate the concurrent validity of the short form of an interactive computerized quality of life (ICQOL-SF) measure for patients with chronic pain. Methods. The ICQOL-SF, consisting of one global and four separate domains of quality of life, was administered to 300 chronic pain patients in two pain centers. Participants also completed the full 21-item interactive computerized quality of life (ICQOL) program, a computerized version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), and a computerized assessment of pain (CAP) program. In a second study, an independent group of 336 chronic pain patients completed the ICQOL-SF, the WHOQOL-BREF, and the CAP. Results. The ICQOL-SF in both studies demonstrated adequate concurrent validity with the WHOQOL-BREF ( r = 0.75) and the CAP ( r = 0.84). The five-item ICQOL-SF was also highly correlated with the full ICQOL ( r = 0.90). Surprisingly, older individuals with more formal education and longer pain duration reported better quality of life. Number of past surgeries was negatively correlated with quality of life. Conclusions. The five-item short-form interactive computerized method to assess quality of life demonstrates adequate concurrent validity and would be a useful, brief software measure in the assessment of persons with chronic pain. Additional studies are needed to determine the reliability and sensitivity to change of the ICQOL-SF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT objective. The purpose of this study was to describe the reliability and validity of an interac- tive computer method that assesses the quality of life of patients in chronic pain and healthy individuals. methods. A software program to assess 21 aspects of quality of life was administered to 88 pain patients on two occasions separated by an average of 30 days. Comparison data were obtained from 105 healthy individuals retested after an average of 16 days. results. For both groups, moderate test-retest correlations occurred for mean ratings based on an aggregation of data for all variables, single global ratings, and single ratings of individual variables. Patients in chronic pain scored significantly lower on all quality of life variables than did healthy individuals. High correlations were obtained between mean ratings from the present study and those from an earlier investigation using the same method. conclusions. The interactive computer method is both reliable and valid as a means to assess quality of life for patients in chronic pain as well as for healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This study presents information on the development of an interactive computer-based rating method of quality of life that assesses the multidimensional impact of chronic pain on the individual. Method. A software program assessing 20 categories of quality of life was created and administered to 103 chronic pain patients. Comparison data were obtained from 103 matched healthy controls. Results. High variability was found among pain patients in their ratings of quality of life, and pain patients rated all categories lower than controls. Three groups emerged from a cluster analysis of the data reflecting high, mixed, and low ratings of satisfaction with quality of life. Conclusions. The rating method was convenient, was easy for the patient to understand, and took very little time to administer. Further investigation of the validity and reliability of this tool is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]