title: Assessing pain intensity following spinal cord injury: should rating scales measure 'overall' or 'maximal' values?
abstract: Rating scales (RSs) are important for the assessment of pain intensity (PI) following a spinal cord injury (SCI). Using a Graphic Rating Scale, this pilot study measured an 'overall' level of PI repeated about every 2 h over 1 day and compared it with maximal PI scores reported previously. Patients were categorized into severity groups according to the overall Graphic Rating Scale score at initial assessment (T0). Eight men and six women (mean age 53.1; range 28-75) participated. Comparison of the overall PI scores and their changes over time with the maximal PI scores reported previously showed loss of patients in the severe group and less pronounced PI changes over time. Rating scales used in spinal cord injury services should measure maximal pain experienced 'right now' to eliminate potential averaging out of pain over time, which might allow physicians to assist patients in understanding their pain and begin their adjustment.
authors.affiliation: aCentre for Research in Rehabilitation, College of Health and Life Sciences bCollege of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Fotios
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spyridonis
authors.forename: Gheorghita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ghinea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*