Intermittent and Constant OsteoArthritis Pain – ICOAP
A self-report questionnaire designed to assess both constant and intermittent pain in individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Intermittent and Constant OsteoArthritis Pain – ICOAP was developed by Hawker GA, et al. (2008). It is designed to measure Osteoarthritis Pain Severity and Impact. The scale is intended for use with Adults and elderly with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 11 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Constant Pain, Intermittent Pain.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Constant Pain | 1,2,3,4,5 | 5 |
| Intermittent Pain | 6,7,8,9,10,11 | 6 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not at all / None / Rarely, 1 = A little / Mild / Sometimes, 2 = Moderately / Moderate / Often, 3 = Very much / Severe / Very often, 4 = Extremely / Extreme.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 100. Interpretation guidelines:
- Mild Pain Impact: 0 – 29
- Moderate Pain Impact: 30 – 59
- Severe Pain Impact: 60 – 100
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Cronbach's alpha > 0.85.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.