The Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ)

The CPAQ measures how well patients accept and manage daily life alongside chronic pain. This self-report tool helps clinicians assess activity levels and pain willingness to guide therapy.

Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) PDF assessment form for measuring pain acceptance.
CPAQ

Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ)

The Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) assesses a patient's willingness to experience pain while continuing daily activities. This 20-item scale measures activity engagement and pain willingness, helping clinicians guide acceptance-based therapies. It's essential for managing long-term conditions.

Category

Mental health
Physical health
Rehabilitation

Disease

Assessment
Mental Health
Rehabilitation

Source

(McCracken et al., 2004)

Author Name

McCracken, L.M. (1998)

What is Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ)

The Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) is a trusted tool for measuring how patients handle long-term discomfort and adapt to daily challenges. This 20-item scale focuses on acceptance rather than just symptom control. It helps identify if a person is struggling to fight pain or actively moving forward with their life. It splits into two main parts called Activity Engagement and Pain Willingness. Patients rate statements on a simple 0 to 6 scale to show how much pain stops them or if they manage to keep going despite the hurt they might feel inside. Clinicians use the CPAQ to guide treatment plans and track progress over time. It works well for spotting patients who need more help with psychological coping strategies. The results help shift the focus from fixing pain to living well, making it a smart, practical choice for effective therapy planning.

CPAQ Scoring

The Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire can be scored using a straightforward summation approach across two subscales. 1. Subscale Calculation: You will rate 20 items on a 0 to 6 scale, ranging from "never true" to "always true". These items split into Activity Engagement and Pain Willingness. Simply add the item scores for each factor to get the subscale totals. 2. Total Score: Add the two subscale scores together to get a total ranging from 0 to 120. Higher numbers suggest you are managing life well despite the pain, giving clinicians a clear picture of patient acceptance.

View scoring form

Advantages

Treatment planning

Develops personalised strategies based on assessment data.

Outcome tracking

Measures healthcare intervention results systematically.

Patient engagement

Promotes active participation in healthcare assessment.

Reliable data

Provides consistent measurements for clinical research.

10
Minutes
20
Questions

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