About stagnation and the emperor’s new clothes

Innamorati and colleagues (Innamorati et al., J Headache Pain 16:2, 2015) validated the “stagnation scale” and proposed to use it to screen for psychopathology. I have some critical comments to consider about the theoretical and clinical value of the instrument. First, items of the scale are not specific, and may equally well measure worry, self-worth and distress. Second, questionnaires are tools to assess the experiences of patients, but not hypothesized causal processes. The scale can thus not identify patients who repress emotions. Third, the routine use of this instrument will detract clinicians from what really is at stake in patients and what may help them.