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How to measure chronic pain: New concepts
Fausto Salaffi1, Piercarlo Sarzi-Puttini2, Fabiola Atzeni3
1Rheumatology Department, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Rheumatology
|August 13, 2015
Summary
Assessing chronic pain requires multidimensional tools. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) via digital diaries offers a patient-centered, real-time approach for better pain management and shared decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Pain Medicine
- Health Informatics
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
Background:
- Chronic pain assessment necessitates multidimensional instruments for physical, emotional, and social function evaluation.
- Lack of consensus exists regarding optimal assessment instruments and approaches for chronic pain.
- Growing emphasis on patient-reported outcomes highlights the importance of patient experiences in chronic pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review instruments for assessing chronic pain and its impact on quality of life.
- To discuss health-care monitoring systems utilizing information and communication technology for chronic pain.
- To evaluate the advantages and limitations of various chronic pain assessment tools and systems.
Main Methods:
- Review of multidimensional qualitative and health-related quality of life instruments for chronic pain.
- Exploration of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and computerized EMA symptom diaries.
- Analysis of web/Internet-based diaries, patient terminals, and telemonitoring systems.
Main Results:
- Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) provides real-time, in-situ symptom assessment, overcoming recall bias.
- Computerized EMA symptom diaries are considered the 'gold standard' in pain medicine.
- Web-based diaries and telemonitoring offer cost-efficient, patient-centered data acquisition and support shared decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Multidimensional instruments and technology-driven systems are crucial for comprehensive chronic pain assessment.
- EMA and telemonitoring enhance patient engagement and provide valuable data for personalized care.
- Further research and consensus are needed to optimize the selection and implementation of these assessment tools.
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