The Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ)
The MSPQ helps doctors measure bodily sensations linked to anxiety in chronic pain patients. This self-report tool separates physical pain from emotional distress to guide better treatment.

Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ)
The Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ) is a 13-item scale used to measure somatic anxiety. It assesses heightened awareness of bodily sensations, especially for chronic back pain patients. By tracking autonomic arousal, it helps clinicians distinguish physical pain from psychological distress.
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Disease
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What is Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ)
The Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ) is a handy tool for measuring somatic anxiety. It helps spot psychological factors in chronic pain. This 13-item self-report scale focuses on autonomic arousal. It looks at specific bodily sensations like stomach churning or sweating that go beyond simple physical pain. Patients rate their feelings using a four-point Likert scale ranging from "not at all" to "could not be worse." This setup lets doctors see how much a person focuses on body functions and if stress makes physical symptoms feel much heavier than they should. Often paired with depression screening tools, the MSPQ helps rule out functional back pain causes. It is quick to finish and easy to score, so it fits well in busy clinics. The results show how mental health impacts physical recovery, helping teams plan better treatments for long-term relief.
The Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire can be scored using one main approach focusing on summation. You will look at 13 specific items designed to measure somatic anxiety. Each question gets rated on a four point scale from 0, meaning not at all, to 3, meaning it could not be worse. To get the final result, you simply add up these values for a total ranging between 0 and 39. Higher totals suggest more intense physical awareness or distress. It is often paired with the Zung Depression Scale to spot patients who might struggle with chronic pain treatments.
Advantages
Enables precise identification of patient health status.
Develops personalised strategies based on assessment data.
Streamlines research data gathering process.
Provides consistent measurements for clinical research.
Related Instruments
Screens for neuropathic pain components.
Predicts long-term disability risk in musculoskeletal pain.
Assesses symptoms and function in lumbar spinal stenosis.
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