Daily pain diaries were mailed to participants along with
instructions to begin diaries one week prior to the assessment.
Diaries consisted of a 10-cm visual analog scale
(VAS) anchored on the ends by ‘‘no pain’’ and ‘‘worst
possible pain.’’ VAS scales have been validated for use in
school age children and have been recommended for use in
assessment of recurrent/chronic pain in children over
8 years of age (Stinson, Kavanagh, Yamada, Gill, &
Stevens, 2006). Average pain intensity score based upon
one week of daily diaries was calculated. While pain intensity
might fluctuate in JPFS, the pain experience in fibromyalgia
tends to be chronic (as compared to recurrent pain
conditions such as headaches or abdominal pain where
individuals may have several days of no pain).