Pain Scales: What Are They and What Do They Mean

Abstract

Purpose of review: It is essential to have validated and reliable pain measurement tools that cover a wide range of areas and are tailored to individual patients to ensure effective pain management. The main objective of this review is to provide comprehensive information on commonly used pain scales and questionnaires, including their usefulness, intended purpose, applicability to different patient populations, and associated advantages and disadvantages.

Recent findings: Acute pain questionnaires typically focus on measuring the severity of pain and the extent of relief achieved through interventions. Chronic pain questionnaires evaluate additional aspects such as pain-related functional limitations, psychological distress, and psychological well-being. The selection of an appropriate pain scale depends on the specific assessment objectives. Additionally, each pain scale has its strengths and limitations. Understanding the differences among these pain scales is essential for selecting the most appropriate tool tailored to individual patient needs in different settings.

Conclusion: Medical professionals encounter challenges in accurately assessing pain. Physicians must be familiar with the different pain scales and their applicability to specific patient population.

Keywords: Brief Pain Index—Short Form; European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions; McGill Pain Questionnaire; Neck Disability Index; Numerical Rating Scale; OSWESTRY Disability Index; Pain scales; Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System; Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire; SF12; SF36; Verbal Rating Scale; Visual Analog Scale; Zurich Claudication Questionnaire.