Behavioural evaluation in patients affected by chronic pain : a preliminary study

• Published in: Journal of headache and pain Vol. 7; no. 6; pp. 395 - 402
• Main Authors: MONINA, Erica, FALZETTI, Gabriele, FIRETTO, Vincenzo, MARIANI, Laura, CAPUTI, Claudio A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Milano Springer 01.12.2006; Springer Nature B.V; Springer-Verlag
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Behavior; Behavior - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Clinical trials; Female; Humans; Injuries of the nervous system and the skull. Diseases due to physical agents; Male; Measurement techniques; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Multiple sclerosis and variants. Guillain barré syndrome and other inflammatory polyneuropathies. Leukoencephalitis; Neurology; Nursing Assessment - methods; Original; Pain; Pain - physiopathology; Pain - psychology; Pain Measurement - methods; Psychometrics - methods; Ratings & rankings; Self evaluation; Sensitivity and Specificity; Statistics as Topic; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Human; Headache; Nervous system diseases; Evaluation scale; Hospital environment; Pain intensity self- report; Malignant tumor; Subjective evaluation; Cerebral disorder; Chronic; Experience; Pain; Nursing; Central nervous system disease; Neurological disorder; Cerebrovascular disease; Nurse; Pain behaviour observation
• ISSN: 1129-2369; 1129-2377
• DOI: 10.1007/s10194-006-0324-0

The aim was to analyse the existing relation between a subjective evaluation of pain with the use of the Verbal Numerical Scale (VNS) and an objective behavioural measure associated with pain, by means of the Pain Behaviour Rating Scale (UAB). An observational correlation study was carried out in a hospital environment. The study included 61 patients affected with multiple forms of non-malignant chronic pain; the behaviour was observed by the nursing staff. In general, a positive but moderate correlation was obtained between VNS and UAB scales (r=0.29, p<0.0001). Observing behaviour and listening to the patient constituted two complementary and non-interchangeable methods for assessing the level of pain capable of providing a global and objective portrayal of the pain experience.