The Pain Coping Inventory (PCI) is a 92-item self-report test that assesses the behavioral, cognitive, and psychological dimensions of chronic pain and takes some 20-30 minutes to complete. Developed by Bruce N. Eimer, Ph.D. (author of Pain Management Psychotherapy: A Practical Guide, 1998, John Wiley & Sons) and Lyle Allen III, M.A., of neurocognitive assessment specialists CogniSyst, Inc., the PCI can be ordered and administered separately or as part of the Pain Assessment Battery.

The PCI is a pain assessment tool appropriate for clinic or hospital-based evaluation, basic and applied research programs, epidemiological studies, and other situations requiring a brief, valid, and comprehensive tool. Its eighth grade reading level and brevity make the PCI ideal for clinical screening.

What the PCI Measures

The PCI provides 18 scales that are grouped into five major dimensions:

	Physical and Temporal Qualities Pain Severity Pain Liability Pain Continuity and Duration		Behavioral Interference Muscle Bracing/Movement Phobia Sleep Disturbance Activity Interference/Avoidance
	Psychological Maladjustment Catastrophizing Stress and Anxiety Depression Hostility Paranoia and Alienation		Psychological Coping Perceived Self-Efficacy Mental Conditioning Positive Self-Talk Psychological Motivation Quality of Life
	Health-Related Behavior Chemical Independency Diet and Exercise

The PCI also provides a series of summary scores to include:

	Validity Indices
	Global Impairment Index
	Patient Alienation Index
	Degree and Frequency of Distress Indices
	Physical Severity and Behavioral Interference Indices
	Psychological Maladjustment Severity and Nociceptive Indices
	Positive Coping Indices