Measurement Properties of the Brief Pain Inventory- Short Form (BPI-SF) and the Revised Short McGill Pain Questionnaire-Version-2 (SF-MPQ-2) in Painrelated Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Systematic Review Protocol

BACKGROUND: The Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) and Revised Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Version-2 (SF-MPQ-2) are generic pain assessment tools used in research and practice for pain assessment in musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. A comprehensive review that systematically analyses their measurement properties in MSK conditions has not been performed. This review protocol describes the steps that will be taken to locate, critically appraise, compare and summarize clinical measurement research on the BPI-SF and SF-MPQ-2 in pain-related MSK conditions. METHODS: Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and Scopus will be searched for publications that examine the measurement properties of the Brief Pain Inventory and Revised Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Version-2. Two reviewers will independently screen citations (title, abstract and full text) and extract relevant data. The extensiveness, rigor, and quality of measurement property reports will be examined with a structured measurement studies appraisal tool, and with the updated COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines. Findings will be descriptively summarized, and when possible, a meta-analysis will be performed. DISCUSSION: This review will summarize and compare the current level of evidence on the measurement properties of the BPI-SF and SF-MPQ-2 in a spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions. We expect clinicians/researchers dealing with MSK conditions to have synthesized evidence that informs their decision making and preferences. In addition, the review hopes to identify gaps and determine priorities for future research with or on the BPI-SF and SF-MPQ-2 in MSK conditions.