Articles: pain-measurement.
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We have studied 122 patients (52 men and 70 women) with definite Multiple Sclerosis (MS) to evaluate the frequency and clinical characteristics of pain in MS. The Hamilton Rating Scale for depression, the Beck-Self Depression Inventory and the Kurtzke Disability Status Scale were used in all patients. We have divided the patients with pain in two groups: patients with pain syndromes at onset and patients with pain syndromes during the course of MS disease. ⋯ We did not find a significant differences with respect to age, sex, disease duration, physical impairment, depressive symptoms between the patients of pain-free group and of pain groups. There was a significant difference in mean disease duration from diagnosis in patients reporting pain at onset of the disease. In conclusion, the pain in MS is not a rare symptom; the role of physiopathological mechanism underlying pain syndromes arise unclear.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Assessing change over time in patients with low back pain.
This study compared the ability of the Roland-Morris (RM), Oswestry (OSW), and Jan van Breemen Institute (JVB) pain and function questionnaires to detect change over time. ⋯ Based on the latter finding, we believe the RM questionnaire may be the preferred instrument for assessing change over time in patients with low back pain.
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Comparative Study
Visual analogue thermometer: a valid and useful instrument for measuring pain in burned patients.
This study assessed the psychometric qualities of a new pain rating instrument--the visual analogue thermometer (VAT)--which was developed to measure pain in burned patients. The validity and utility of the VAT was assessed and compared with a conventional numeric (NUM) and adjective pain scale (ADJ) with a group of 103 burned patients and 51 nurses. Analyses of the results support the concurrent and construct validity of the VAT as a pain measure. ⋯ The same was true for the nurses' evaluation except for those who had more clinical experience with the VAT and who tended to prefer this scale for its accuracy and ease of utilization. The VAT appears to be a valid, sensitive and clinically useful tool to measure pain in burned patients. A systematic pain assessment procedure which can be easily implemented in burn care facilities is presented.
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Low Back Pain Rating scale is an index scale which includes measurements of pain intensity, disability, and physical impairment. The scale was designed to monitor the outcome of clinical trials of low back pain treatment. It has been validated in 58 patients following first-time discectomy. ⋯ In the study, a high rater agreement (97.7%) was found without level difference between two observers using the scale. The validation process included: construct validity, criterion-related validity and item bias, relative to Global Assessments pronounced by the patient and an experienced clinician. Low Back Pain Rating scale hs been shown to be valid and reliable in the assessment of low back pain.