Several self-report measures were used to identify 6 activity patterns in chronic pain
patients: pain avoidance, activity avoidance, task-contingent persistence, excessive persistence,
pain-contingent persistence, and pacing. Instruments for assessing pacing should include 3 pacing
behaviors (breaking tasks into smaller tasks, taking frequent short rests, slowing down), each of
which relate to a single goal (increasing activity levels, conserving energy for valued activities, and
reducing pain). This article presents the Activity Patterns Scale (APS), which assesses these 6 activity
patterns. Study 1 included 291 participants with chronic pain, and tested 3 structures using confirmatory
factor analyses. The structure with the best fit had 8 factors corresponding to the hypothesized
scales. High correlations in the expected direction were found between the APS subscales and the
‘‘Patterns of Activity Measure-Pain.’’ Study 2 included 111 patients with chronic pain, and aimed at
examining the association between the APS subscales and adjustment to pain. It was found that
that activity avoidance was associated with daily functioning and impairment. Negative affect was
positively associated with activity avoidance and excessive persistence, and negatively associated
with task-contingent persistence, which was also positively associated with positive affect. This
study showed that the APS is a valid and reliable instrument for clinical practice and research
