Accuracy of the unassisted pain drawings by patients with chronic pain.
This investigation was conducted to test the accuracy of unassisted pain maps drawn by patients with chronic pain. Three aspects of accuracy were investigated, the accuracy of the area of pain reported, whether all existing pains were reported, and whether related symptoms were reported. Thirty-six successive new admissions to a chronic pain rehabilitation center were used as subjects. Each patient filled out the pain map prior to meeting any professional staff. During their examination the investigators completed a new pain map without seeing the patient's map. Thirty-one pairs of pain maps were compared and scored, with most maps showing several pain areas. Area of pain was accurately represented 43% of the time. Of 139 distinct pains found during examination, only 58% were reported in the pain maps. Thirtyfour percent of related symptoms were reported. It appears that unassisted pain maps are sufficiently flawed to discourage their use as an indicator of the patients symptom location J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1987;8(8):391-396.
Cummings
G S
GS
Routan
J L
JL