Review of Pain-Measurement Tools

doi:10.1016/S0196-0644(96)70223-8

Annals of Emergency Medicine

Volume 27, Issue 4, April 1996, Pages 427-432

From the First International Symposium on Pain Research in Emergency Medicine, Montreal, October 1994.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-0644(96)70223-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

[Ho K, Spence J, Murphy MF: Review of pain-measurement tools. Ann Emerg Med April 1996;27:427-432.]

Section snippets

INTRODUCTION

Traditionally, emergency physicians have not used objective measures to assess level of pain or relief of pain. Although pain is common, measurement of the intensity of pain and determination of the extent to which that pain affects an individual can be far from simple. Unlike one-dimensional parameters such as heart rate that can be easily quantified, pain is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon.¹

First, pain can be generated by different mechanisms, including tissue ischemia, muscle

UNIDIMENSIONAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS BASED ON SELF-REPORT

Before any pain-rating tool is used, the goal of the study must be identified because certain pain tools have clear advantages. Unidimensional pain scales are frequently used when a single, clearly defined question is to be answered. They are easy to understand and use and place a minimal burden on the patient. Scales with a wide range of possible scores ensure sensitivity to intervention and permit statistical evaluation. The pain-assessment tools in this category measure the intensity of pain

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^☆: From the Department of Emergency Medicine,Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia*; the Division of Emergency medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto and St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario^‡; Children's Hospital and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia^§; and the Department of Emergency Medicine, Chedoke–McMaster Hospitals, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada^∥

^☆☆: Address for reprints: Kendall Ho, MD Department of Emergency Medicine Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre 855 West 12th Avenue Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V5Z 1M9

^★: Reprint no. 47/1/71810

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Review of Pain-Measurement Tools☆,☆☆,★

Abstract

Section snippets

INTRODUCTION

UNIDIMENSIONAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS BASED ON SELF-REPORT

Pain

Pain

Appl Nurs Res

Behav Res Ther

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

J Pain Symptom Management

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

Pain

American Academy of Pediatrics report of the Subcommittee on Assessment and Methodologic Issues in the Management of Pain in Childhood Cancer

Pediatrics

Peripheral mechanisms of somatic pain

Anaesthesiology

Generation of acute pain: Central mechanisms

Br Med Bull

Taking pains

Nursing Times