Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method , International Journal of Pain Research, Science Publishing Group

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Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method

Zhao Jinfeng

, Wang Yuxuan

, Sun Tao^*

Published in International Journal of Pain Research (Volume 1, Issue 4)

Received: 10 September 2025 Accepted: 23 September 2025 Published: 29 October 2025

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Abstract

Objective: To develop and validate an assessment scale for primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) that is suitable for Chinese patients’ clinical requirements and cultural background. Methods: Descriptive study. (1) Construction of pre-scales: A pool of scale entries was prepared based on the common clinical features of PTN, the consensus of domestic experts, clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines, and the reference of the international scale production process. Based on the Delphi method, 21 experts were invited to participate in two rounds of correspondence and pre-test revisions to develop the pre-scales. (2) Formation and validation of the preliminary version of the scale: A clinical investigation was conducted on 157 patients with PTN in the Pain Department of Shandong Provincial Hospital from March 20, 2024 to January 1, 2025. The entries were screened to form a preliminary version of the scale using the critical ratio method, correlation coefficient method, and discrete trend method. The scientific validity and feasibility of the scale were then assessed through reliability and validity tests, satisfaction measurements, and reflective tests. Results: 147 patients with PTN completed the study. The positive coefficient of two rounds of expert correspondence was 100.0%, the authoritative coefficient was 0.927 and 0.957 (>0.900), the Kendall's W coefficient was 0.227 and 0.421, respectively (all P<0.001). The validity and reliability of the scale were positive, with Cronbach's α 0.870 (>0.700), the content validity index 0.935 (>0.900) for S-CVI and 0.810-1.000 (all≥0.780) for I-CVI respectively, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value 0.858 (>0.600), and χ2=1 220.060 (P<0.001) of Bartlett spherical test. The exploratory factor analysis extracted 3 common factors, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 63.880% (＞50.000%) and factor loadings ranging between 0.533 and 0.905 for each entry. The correlation coefficient (r) between satisfaction and change before and after the treatment was 0.903. The scale demonstrated excellent responsiveness, as evidenced by a standardized response median (SRMed) of 2.71 and an effect size (ES) of 3.17 (both substantially exceeding the established benchmark of >0.80). The final scale consisted of 4 parts: the first part with 6 non-quantitative entries, the second part contained 4 dimensions and 20 quantitative entries, the third part contained 5 entries related to post-treatment evaluation, the fourth part was the overall satisfaction evaluation with 5 entries, and the third and fourth parts were for post-treatment only. Conclusion: The primary trigeminal neuralgia assessment scale has good reliability, validity, and applicability.

Published in	International Journal of Pain Research (Volume 1, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13
Page(s)	87-106
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia, Pain Measurement, Scale, Chinese Version, Development, Reliability and Validity

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APA Style

Jinfeng, Z., Yuxuan, W., Tao, S. (2025). Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method. International Journal of Pain Research, 1(4), 87-106. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13

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ACS Style

Jinfeng, Z.; Yuxuan, W.; Tao, S. Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method. . 2025, 1(4), 87-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13

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AMA Style

Jinfeng Z, Yuxuan W, Tao S. Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method. . 2025;1(4):87-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13,
  author = {Zhao Jinfeng and Wang Yuxuan and Sun Tao},
  title = {Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method
},
  journal = {International Journal of Pain Research},
  volume = {1},
  number = {4},
  pages = {87-106},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijpr.20250104.13},
  abstract = {Objective: To develop and validate an assessment scale for primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) that is suitable for Chinese patients’ clinical requirements and cultural background. Methods: Descriptive study. (1) Construction of pre-scales: A pool of scale entries was prepared based on the common clinical features of PTN, the consensus of domestic experts, clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines, and the reference of the international scale production process. Based on the Delphi method, 21 experts were invited to participate in two rounds of correspondence and pre-test revisions to develop the pre-scales. (2) Formation and validation of the preliminary version of the scale: A clinical investigation was conducted on 157 patients with PTN in the Pain Department of Shandong Provincial Hospital from March 20, 2024 to January 1, 2025. The entries were screened to form a preliminary version of the scale using the critical ratio method, correlation coefficient method, and discrete trend method. The scientific validity and feasibility of the scale were then assessed through reliability and validity tests, satisfaction measurements, and reflective tests. Results: 147 patients with PTN completed the study. The positive coefficient of two rounds of expert correspondence was 100.0%, the authoritative coefficient was 0.927 and 0.957 (>0.900), the Kendall's W coefficient was 0.227 and 0.421, respectively (all P0.700), the content validity index 0.935 (>0.900) for S-CVI and 0.810-1.000 (all≥0.780) for I-CVI respectively, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value 0.858 (>0.600), and χ2=1 220.060 (P0.80). The final scale consisted of 4 parts: the first part with 6 non-quantitative entries, the second part contained 4 dimensions and 20 quantitative entries, the third part contained 5 entries related to post-treatment evaluation, the fourth part was the overall satisfaction evaluation with 5 entries, and the third and fourth parts were for post-treatment only. Conclusion: The primary trigeminal neuralgia assessment scale has good reliability, validity, and applicability.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method

AU  - Zhao Jinfeng
AU  - Wang Yuxuan
AU  - Sun Tao
Y1  - 2025/10/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13
T2  - International Journal of Pain Research
JF  - International Journal of Pain Research
JO  - International Journal of Pain Research
SP  - 87
EP  - 106
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13
AB  - Objective: To develop and validate an assessment scale for primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) that is suitable for Chinese patients’ clinical requirements and cultural background. Methods: Descriptive study. (1) Construction of pre-scales: A pool of scale entries was prepared based on the common clinical features of PTN, the consensus of domestic experts, clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines, and the reference of the international scale production process. Based on the Delphi method, 21 experts were invited to participate in two rounds of correspondence and pre-test revisions to develop the pre-scales. (2) Formation and validation of the preliminary version of the scale: A clinical investigation was conducted on 157 patients with PTN in the Pain Department of Shandong Provincial Hospital from March 20, 2024 to January 1, 2025. The entries were screened to form a preliminary version of the scale using the critical ratio method, correlation coefficient method, and discrete trend method. The scientific validity and feasibility of the scale were then assessed through reliability and validity tests, satisfaction measurements, and reflective tests. Results: 147 patients with PTN completed the study. The positive coefficient of two rounds of expert correspondence was 100.0%, the authoritative coefficient was 0.927 and 0.957 (>0.900), the Kendall's W coefficient was 0.227 and 0.421, respectively (all P0.700), the content validity index 0.935 (>0.900) for S-CVI and 0.810-1.000 (all≥0.780) for I-CVI respectively, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value 0.858 (>0.600), and χ2=1 220.060 (P0.80). The final scale consisted of 4 parts: the first part with 6 non-quantitative entries, the second part contained 4 dimensions and 20 quantitative entries, the third part contained 5 entries related to post-treatment evaluation, the fourth part was the overall satisfaction evaluation with 5 entries, and the third and fourth parts were for post-treatment only. Conclusion: The primary trigeminal neuralgia assessment scale has good reliability, validity, and applicability.

VL  - 1
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Zhao Jinfeng

Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan City, China; Department of Pain Management, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan City, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-6630-940X
Wang Yuxuan

Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan City, China; Department of Pain Management, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan City, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-6125-0981
Sun Tao

Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan City, China; Department of Pain Management, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan City, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0880-6394

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APA Style

Jinfeng, Z., Yuxuan, W., Tao, S. (2025). Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method. International Journal of Pain Research, 1(4), 87-106. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13

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ACS Style

Jinfeng, Z.; Yuxuan, W.; Tao, S. Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method. . 2025, 1(4), 87-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13

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AMA Style

Jinfeng Z, Yuxuan W, Tao S. Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method. . 2025;1(4):87-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13,
  author = {Zhao Jinfeng and Wang Yuxuan and Sun Tao},
  title = {Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method
},
  journal = {International Journal of Pain Research},
  volume = {1},
  number = {4},
  pages = {87-106},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijpr.20250104.13},
  abstract = {Objective: To develop and validate an assessment scale for primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) that is suitable for Chinese patients’ clinical requirements and cultural background. Methods: Descriptive study. (1) Construction of pre-scales: A pool of scale entries was prepared based on the common clinical features of PTN, the consensus of domestic experts, clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines, and the reference of the international scale production process. Based on the Delphi method, 21 experts were invited to participate in two rounds of correspondence and pre-test revisions to develop the pre-scales. (2) Formation and validation of the preliminary version of the scale: A clinical investigation was conducted on 157 patients with PTN in the Pain Department of Shandong Provincial Hospital from March 20, 2024 to January 1, 2025. The entries were screened to form a preliminary version of the scale using the critical ratio method, correlation coefficient method, and discrete trend method. The scientific validity and feasibility of the scale were then assessed through reliability and validity tests, satisfaction measurements, and reflective tests. Results: 147 patients with PTN completed the study. The positive coefficient of two rounds of expert correspondence was 100.0%, the authoritative coefficient was 0.927 and 0.957 (>0.900), the Kendall's W coefficient was 0.227 and 0.421, respectively (all P0.700), the content validity index 0.935 (>0.900) for S-CVI and 0.810-1.000 (all≥0.780) for I-CVI respectively, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value 0.858 (>0.600), and χ2=1 220.060 (P0.80). The final scale consisted of 4 parts: the first part with 6 non-quantitative entries, the second part contained 4 dimensions and 20 quantitative entries, the third part contained 5 entries related to post-treatment evaluation, the fourth part was the overall satisfaction evaluation with 5 entries, and the third and fourth parts were for post-treatment only. Conclusion: The primary trigeminal neuralgia assessment scale has good reliability, validity, and applicability.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Development and Validation of a Chinese Assessment Scale for the Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia Based on the Delphi Method

AU  - Zhao Jinfeng
AU  - Wang Yuxuan
AU  - Sun Tao
Y1  - 2025/10/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13
T2  - International Journal of Pain Research
JF  - International Journal of Pain Research
JO  - International Journal of Pain Research
SP  - 87
EP  - 106
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijpr.20250104.13
AB  - Objective: To develop and validate an assessment scale for primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) that is suitable for Chinese patients’ clinical requirements and cultural background. Methods: Descriptive study. (1) Construction of pre-scales: A pool of scale entries was prepared based on the common clinical features of PTN, the consensus of domestic experts, clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines, and the reference of the international scale production process. Based on the Delphi method, 21 experts were invited to participate in two rounds of correspondence and pre-test revisions to develop the pre-scales. (2) Formation and validation of the preliminary version of the scale: A clinical investigation was conducted on 157 patients with PTN in the Pain Department of Shandong Provincial Hospital from March 20, 2024 to January 1, 2025. The entries were screened to form a preliminary version of the scale using the critical ratio method, correlation coefficient method, and discrete trend method. The scientific validity and feasibility of the scale were then assessed through reliability and validity tests, satisfaction measurements, and reflective tests. Results: 147 patients with PTN completed the study. The positive coefficient of two rounds of expert correspondence was 100.0%, the authoritative coefficient was 0.927 and 0.957 (>0.900), the Kendall's W coefficient was 0.227 and 0.421, respectively (all P0.700), the content validity index 0.935 (>0.900) for S-CVI and 0.810-1.000 (all≥0.780) for I-CVI respectively, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value 0.858 (>0.600), and χ2=1 220.060 (P0.80). The final scale consisted of 4 parts: the first part with 6 non-quantitative entries, the second part contained 4 dimensions and 20 quantitative entries, the third part contained 5 entries related to post-treatment evaluation, the fourth part was the overall satisfaction evaluation with 5 entries, and the third and fourth parts were for post-treatment only. Conclusion: The primary trigeminal neuralgia assessment scale has good reliability, validity, and applicability.

VL  - 1
IS  - 4
ER  -

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