What do Finnish physiotherapists and physiotherapy students know about the neurophysiology of pain? The Finnish version of the revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire

• Published in: Physiotherapy theory and practice Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 828 - 842
• Main Authors: Ehrström, Jolanda, Pöyhiä, Reino, Kettunen, Jyrki, Pyörälä, Eeva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Ltd 02.04.2024
• Subjects: Neurophysiology; Pain; Physical therapists; Physical therapy; Physiotherapy; Professional knowledge; Questionnaires; Students; Test-Retest reliability; Translation; revised neurophysiology of pain questionnaire; Pain neurophysiology knowledge; pain education; physiotherapy; reliability
• ISSN: 0959-3985; 1532-5040; 1532-5040
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2154626

Understanding the concept of pain and its underlying biological mechanisms is an essential part of physiotherapists' professional knowledge. The first aim of the study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire into Finnish (RNPQ-FI) and to evaluate its reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reliability) in a sample of Finnish physiotherapists and physiotherapy students. The second aim was to compare the knowledge of pain neurophysiology between these two groups. Translation and cross-cultural adaptation followed the COSMIN Study Design checklist. Participants (202 physiotherapists and 97 physiotherapy students) completed an online survey containing RNPQ-FI. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability using Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC ). Cronbach's alpha was 0.44 and ICC was 0.70 ( < .001). The mean percentage of correct responses was 61.4% for physiotherapists and 62.1% for students. Forty-seven percent of the physiotherapists and 35.1% of the students reported difficulties in understanding the items. A higher amount of pain education was associated with higher RNPQ-FI scores. The RNPQ-FI showed low internal consistency and moderate test-retest reliability among Finnish physiotherapists and physiotherapy students. Physiotherapists and students had equal amount of pain neurophysiology knowledge. Pain education is encouraged.