Readiness to change was assessed by using a revised
version of the Multidimensional Pain Readiness to
Change Questionnaire (MPRCQ).31 The revised version
(MPRCQ.v2)32 is a 69-item measure that assesses willingness
to adopt pain management skills in 9 areas, including
exercise (7 items) and task persistence (5 items) used
in the present study. The MPRCQ.v2 is divided into 2
sections, containing items describing adaptive and maladaptive
coping. The MPRCQ has demonstrated adequate
reliability and validity in samples of patients with
fibromyalgia and SCI-related pain.31 In the present sample,
exercise and task persistence subscales of the encouragement
or other benefits when you exercise?” Internal
consistency for these 3 items was excellent (Cronbach’s
.84). Perceived importance of task persistence
was also assessed by using the average of 3 items: (1)
“How important is it to you, in managing your health and
pain problem, to keep going despite the pain?” (2) “To
what extent have you experienced direct and immediate
benefits when you keep doing what you need to do despite
pain in the past?” (3) “To what extent do you currently
receive encouragement or other benefits when you
keep going despite pain?” Internal consistency for the task
persistence scale was marginal (Cronbach’s.72).
Self-efficacy for exercise and task persistence was assessed
by using one 0 to 10 item each. For task persistence,
the item was “To what extent do you see yourself
as having the ability to keep going with what you need
to do despite any pain you might feel?” For exercise, it
was “To what extent do you see yourself as having the
resources (such as the time and energy) to exercise regularly
if you choose to?”
Finally, self-management behaviors were assessed by using
a single item that asked the number of months in a row
that a patient has been persisting with tasks despite the
pain (task persistence) or exercising regularly (exercise).