Long-term pain conditions after a stroke

Abstract

The aim of this study was to classify and describe the characteristics of different long-term pain conditions after a stroke by clinical examination and pain assessment using the Pain-O-Meter and a Pain questionnaire. Pain was classified as central post-stroke pain (n = 15), nociceptive pain (n = 18), and tension-type headache (n = 10). In 65%, pain onset was within 1-6 months and the pain intensity revealed individual differences. Many pain descriptors was common, some were discriminating as burning in central and cramping in nociceptive pain, and pressing and worrying in headache. More than half with central or nociceptive pain had continuous or almost continuous pain. Cold was the factor mostly increasing the pain in central, physical movements in nociceptive pain, and stress and anxiety in headache. More than one-third had no pain treatment and two-thirds of those with central pain had no or inadequate prescribed pain treatment. The clinical findings support the classification of pain and describe discriminating and common pain characteristics in pain conditions after a stroke.