A systematic review of psychometric evaluations of outcome assessments for complex regional pain syndrome

Purpose: To conduct a systematic review of the quality and extent of psychometric examinations of disease-specific outcome measures for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Methods: Health database searches yielded 23 papers covering 19 assessment instruments. Each article was scored for quality using a 12-item structured tool; data were also extracted for comparison of tool content. Results: Article quality ratings ranged from 25 to 88%. Six of the tools were specific to the upper extremity; 5 for the lower extremities while the remaining 8 were general. Many 'general' tools focused on a single construct, such as pain, skin temperature or allodynia. Most psychometric data was based on small studies (mean n = 33); only one study addressed all relevant issues of reliability, validity and responsiveness. Conclusions: Despite the variety of outcome measurement tools reported for CRPS rehabilitation, large gaps in both comprehensiveness and supporting psychometric evidence remain. Comprehensive, relevant and psychometrically sound tools for monitoring treatment outcomes are needed to address the pain and functional limitations experienced by this population.