The P-A-I-N MMPI classification system: a critical review.
The Costello et al. (Pain, 30 (1987) 199-209) literature-based MMPI clustering algorithm was compared to a standard clustering procedure of chronic pain patients' MMPI profiles. Results indicated that the Costello algorithm was too restrictive, failing to classify 69% of the MMPI profiles of the local sample. It was suggested that it may be premature to adopt a literature based clustering method until the validity of empirically derived clusters has been more thoroughly determined. The utility of a given set of clusters may best be determined by using locally derived clusters to predict treatment response. Once the predictive validity of the local clusters has been demonstrated, the Costello approach may prove more useful.