381: Development and Validation of the Multidimensional Menstrual Pain Scale

Topic: Clinical Science
Subtopic: Pain category (ICD-11), Acute pelvic pain, Assessment and Measurement of Pain/Nociception

Background and Aims: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common pain condition affecting adolescent girls and women of reproductive age. even through its mainly considered as gynecological issue, menstrual pain is now understood as a complex condition that significantly affects movement, sleep, emotional well-being, education, work, and overall quality of life. Current assessment tools available primarily focus on intensity and duration of Pain, neglecting the broader functional and psychosocial impacts. so the objective of this study was to develop and validate the Multidimensional Menstrual Pain Scale (MMPS), a comprehensive, patient-reported outcome measure designed to assess the multidimensional impact of menstrual pain.

Methods: A methodological study was conducted to develop and validate a scale for primary dysmenorrhea. The scale development adhered to a structured multiphase approach, which included systematic item generation based on a comprehensive literature review and qualitative inputs, expert content validation, and pilot testing. The psychometric evaluation involved assessing internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and construct validity. Additionally, known group validity and responsiveness to intervention were examined. Comparative validity was established by correlating with other established scales like WaLIDD score and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), thereby supporting its concurrent validity and clinical applicability.

Results: The final Multidimensional Menstrual Pain Scale comprised 15 items across five domains: pain severity and pattern, movement and physical function, sleep disturbance, emotional impact, and ADL. Content validity was excellent (S-CVI/Ave = 0.92). The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.91) and excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.93). This scale scores correlated strongly with pain intensity, menstrual distress, sleep quality, and absenteeism. While showing strong convergent validity with the WaLIDD score (r = 0.68),and superior responsiveness to physiotherapy-based interventions.

Conclusions: The Multidimensional Menstrual Pain Scale is a valid, reliable, and responsive instrument for assessing the impact of primary dysmenorrhea. As it includes pain intensity , functional limitation, sleep disturbance, emotional effects, and participation restriction, this scale aligns with a biopsychosocial model of pain. Its demonstrated sensitivity to physiotherapy-based interventions also which supports its utility for clinical decision-making and outcome evaluation. In conclusion this scale offers a standardized, clinically meaningful tool for improve menstrual pain assessment.

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Presenting Author: Amrit kaur
Submitting Author: Amrit Kaur

Senior Author: Amrit kaur

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: No

• Deepti wadhwa: M.P.T - M.V.Ps college of Physiotherapy
• Ritu patel: M.P.T - M.V.Ps college of Physiotherapy