Measuring Troublesomeness of Chronic Pain by Location
Author Information
Author(s): Parsons Suzanne, Carnes Dawn, Pincus Tamar, Foster Nadine, Breen Alan, Vogel Steven, Underwood Martin
Primary Institution: Centre for Health Sciences, Institute for Health Sciences Education, Barts and the London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
Hypothesis
Is the 'troublesomeness grid' an appropriate measure to assess the severity of pain in different body regions?
Conclusion
The troublesomeness grid is well completed and appears to be an appropriate tool to assess the comparative severity of pain in different body regions.
Supporting Evidence
- The troublesomeness grid had good face and content validity with high completion rates.
- Correlations between troublesomeness and pain intensity were strong, indicating its effectiveness.
- Test-retest reliability was between 80% and 90% for most body regions examined.
Takeaway
This study created a new way to measure how much pain bothers people in different parts of their body, helping doctors understand where pain is most severe.
Methodology
The study used data from a pilot survey and a main population survey to assess the troublesomeness grid's validity and reliability.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reporting and the subjective nature of pain assessment.
Limitations
The study's reliance on self-reported data may introduce bias, and the different time frames for pain assessment could affect validity.
Participant Demographics
Participants included adults aged 18 and over with chronic pain, excluding those with terminal illness or severe psychiatric disorders.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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