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The following is a summary of “Validation of the Dutch version of the King’s Parkinson’s disease pain scale,” published in the May 2025 issue of BMC Neurology by Alkaduhimi et al. 

Pain in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) was often underrecognized and undertreated, and the King’s Parkinson’s Pain Scale (KPPS) lacked a validated Dutch version.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to validate the Dutch patients for KPPS and to identify cognitive functions related to its comprehension.  

They translated the KPPS into Dutch and validated it in 70 patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) for an average of 5.65 years. Internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were sampled. Cognitive function was assessed employing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).  

The results showed that the Dutch KPPS demonstrated acceptable reliability with Cronbach’s alpha = 0.69, although its factor structure differed from the original version. Convergent validity was established through significant correlations with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Discriminant validity was supported by correlations with the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) and the EQ-5D-3L. Verbal memory and abstract thinking showed a near-significant association with pain scores.  

Investigators concluded that the Dutch KPPS was a reliable and valid measure for pain in individuals with PD, despite structural differences from the original version. 

Source: bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12883-025-04222-4