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A Protocol of Manual Tests to Measure Sensation and Pain in Humans
Published on: December 19, 2016
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[Measuring pain is useful and every doctor can do it: 7 tips]
Moniek de Goeij1, Monique A H Steegers, Carel M M Veldhoven
1Radboudumc, afd. Anesthesiologie, Pijn en Palliatieve geneeskunde, Nijmegen.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|March 6, 2015
Summary
Routine pain assessment is crucial for effective treatment. Simple self-reporting or observational scales improve pain management in healthcare settings, enhancing patient quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Pain management and patient quality of life.
- Healthcare assessment protocols.
- Clinical pain measurement.
Background:
- Pain significantly impacts quality of life, yet its prevalence is often underestimated.
- Inadequate pain assessment is a primary driver of insufficient pain management.
- Pain is frequently underreported, necessitating proactive inquiry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of routine pain assessment in healthcare.
- To advocate for the integration of simple and effective pain measurement tools.
- To highlight methods for improving pain treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Routine assessment and recording of pain in primary and secondary healthcare.
- Utilizing self-reporting scales like visual-analogue scales (VAS) or numeric rating scales (NRS).
- Employing observational scales for patients unable to self-report, including those with cognitive impairments or young children.
Main Results:
- Simple and quick pain assessment methods are available and feasible.
- Self-reporting scales are effective, even for patients with mild cognitive disorders.
- Observational scales provide reliable pain assessment for non-verbal or cognitively impaired patients.
- Low-threshold use of multidimensional scales improves chronic pain treatment success.
Conclusions:
- Regular pain assessment and documentation are essential for adequate pain management.
- Accessible tools like visual-analogue scales, numeric rating scales, and observational scales facilitate routine pain assessment.
- Effective pain management, particularly for chronic pain, relies on systematic and appropriate measurement.
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