How to measure pain? | Afrilatest.be

In order to treat pain properly, it must first be clear how serious the pain is. A number of measuring instruments have been developed for this purpose.

Also read: What can you do about chronic pain?

VAS/NRS

The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) consists of a 10 cm long horizontal line that runs from 'No pain' (0) to 'Unbearable pain' (10). The patient is asked to place a mark on this line. The score is then measured and expressed in mm or cm. It is a simple method to express pain in a number.

Disadvantages of using the VAS scale may be that the assessment of pain severity is done in a too simple, one-dimensional way and that there are always patients who do not understand the test.

Also read: Podcast: dealing with pain

POKIS

For children aged 0-4, the POKIS pain observation scale is used. Children younger than 4 have difficulty indicating how bad their pain is. That is why they are assessed on their behaviour and posture. For children aged 4-8, a picture is used with 'faces' with different facial expressions, from sad to happy, from which the child then chooses the most appropriate one.

Also read: What pain should you never ignore?

Pain diary

In chronic pain patients, keeping a pain diary can provide a lot of information about pain experience and pain behavior. On pre-printed sheets, the patient can note down the intensity and frequency of the pain per day, the impact of the pain on daily life (aspects of quality of life such as sleep, mood, digestion, etc.). In the diary, the patient can also indicate which medication he/she takes in addition to the prescribed medication and which non-pharmacological treatments (e.g. physiotherapy) he/she undergoes.

The advantages are that when visiting the doctor, the pain report is not influenced by the pain the patient recently suffered, and it provides a picture of the patient's activity pattern and the influence of pain on this.

A disadvantage may be that keeping the diary may confront the patient too much with his pain and pain perception.

PAINED

In patients who are unable to communicate (e.g. with certain diseases or advanced dementia), pain is measured using the PAINAD. This observation instrument is used to observe breathing, restless sounds, facial expression, body language and comfortability. The pain score is determined on this basis.

Also read: Different types of pain in fibromyalgia

CPOT and BPS

CPOT or Critical Care Pain Observation Tool is used in the intensive care unit to measure pain in patients who are kept in an artificial coma. A pain score is assigned based on a number of parameters: voice sounds, facial expression, body movement, muscle tension during passive stretching/bending of the upper limbs and whether or not 'fighting' against the ventilator. The BPS or Behavioral Pain Scale is a similar instrument.

Sources:
www.change-pain.be
https://www.azrivierenland.be
https://meetinstrumentzorg.nl
https://best.ugent.be
https://www.ebmedicine.net
https://ccs-sth.org