Chronic pain can be defined as pain that persists for more than three months, being one of the main causes of suffering and physical and emotional disability. Negative or maladaptive psychological factors, such as fear, negatively influence the pain. Individuals with chronic pain tend to develop fear and catastrophic thoughts in response to pain, leading to a sedentary lifestyle due to avoidance behavior. In addition to avoidance, there are other patterns of behavior and activity, such as pacing, which is characterized by moderating activity levels and alternating between periods of activity and rest. Currently, some instruments assess pacing in individuals with chronic pain, such as Non-avoidance Pacing Scale (NAPS). However, the NAPS has not yet been translated and culturally adapted into Brazilian Portuguese.

To translate and culturally adapt the NAPS into Brazilian Portuguese.

This is a cross-sectional observational study that was approved by the Ethics Research Committee and conducted based on previously established recommendations for translation and cultural adaptation processes. The NAPS was translated by two Brazilian translators fluent in English. Afterward, the translations were synthesized and then back-translated into English by two native English speakers fluent in Brazilian Portuguese. Finally, a committee of experts reviewed all the translations and the original version to create the pretest version. The comprehensibility of the items in the pretest version was evaluated in 30 individuals. The pretesting phase included individuals with chronic pain for at least three months of both sexes, aged over 18 years, and reporting pain intensity greater than 3 on an 11-point numeric rating scale. Each participant completed the questionnaire, provided feedback on their comprehension, and proposed adjustments to the instrument. The instrument was deemed acceptable if at least 90% of the participants fully understood all the questions. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 23.0.

The translation and back-translation process showed no significant discrepancies, ensuring semantic and cultural equivalence. An expert committee made minor adjustments to enhance comprehension while preserving the original meaning. The pretest version was sent to the authors of the original NAPS and was approved without additional suggestions. A total of 30 individuals with chronic pain participated in the study (female: 23, 76.67%; male: 7, 23.33%), with a mean age of 43.97 ± 16.4 years and a body mass index of 28.62 ± 5.49. The most frequently reported pain region was the trunk (15, 50%), followed by the lower limb (11, 36.67%) and upper limb (4, 13.33%). Pain intensity on the numeric rating scale (6.10 ± 2.2), while pain duration in years was 7.88 ± 9.02. All items achieved a comprehensibility rate above 90%.

The translation and cultural adaptation of the NAPS into Brazilian Portuguese were considered appropriate.

This instrument will enable the analysis of behavioral patterns in patients with chronic pain, specifically pacing, and assessing the presence of maladaptive and negative processes related to the condition.