Showing papers on "Pain assessment published in 1981"

Pain assessment in humans -- a reply to Hall.

Abstract: Wayne Hall has written a review [30] that focuses on our first papers using cross-modality matching procedures to quantify verbal decriptors of the sensory intensity and unpleasantness of the pain experience [22--24]. Unfortunately, Hall not only has misinterpreted our earlier methods, results and conclusions, but has failed to review recent studies that present our general approach to the problem of pain assessment in humans [ 16,17,21,33, 36,53,54). We have tried to avoid the dangers associated with the exclusive use of one psychophysical method. As Stevens remarked, \"Methodology can easily become methodolatry\" [60]. Instead, we have attempted to develop a catalogue of techniques that approach the ideal assessment method. Furthermore, we have applied these various assessment methods to the study of pain mechanisms and analgesia. In this reply to Hall's paper, we will first address the specific issues he has raised regarding our original publications of verbal descriptor scales. Second, we will present our general approach to the problem of pain assessment in humans including a discussion of the attributes of ideal assessment techniques. Finally, we will review experiments, utilizing assessment as a research tool, on the neural mechanisms of pain and the treatment of pain conditions.

Opiate pharmacology and individual differences. I. Psychophysical pain measurements

Abstract: A new electric stimulation pain assessment technique using the Tursky electrode and a non-parametric analysis of subjects ratings was found sensitive to aspirin, morphine and opiate antagonists in a series of double-blind cross-over trials in normal adults. Stable individual differences in pain sensitivity (off medication) were maintained on two testing sessions 7 months apart. Older individuals were less pain sensitive than younger individuals. Men were more insensitive than women under age 30. Together, these results suggest the empiric usefulness of this pain measurement technique.

Pain assessment: development of a tool for the nurse and the patient

Abstract: The assessment of pain is a difficult and yet vital component of nursing care. Discrepancies in the nursing management of pain can result from inadequate data collection and personal biases about the pain experienced by the patient. For example, how often is the patient with chronic pain consulted about personal remedies used at home to facilitate pain relief? Do nurses have preconceived ideas of how much pain should exist with each disease entity? A tool was developed which incorporated many of the variables affecting the pain response in order to sensitize nurses to the need for careful pain assessment. The information in this tool was conveyed to both graduate and student nurses resulting in improved charting of the patient's pain and improvement in the ability to assess the patient in pain. Description of pain by the patient is often a frustrating experience and yet necessary in helping to determine the cause of the pain and the appropriate interventions. Patients often have difficulty describing their pain to health professionals. A ruler which includes the most frequently utilized terms to describe pain was developed, revised and tested on various patients. The patients interviewed found the tool easy to use and all felt they could communicate their sensation of pain to the nurse.

Stress-pain relationship in MPD syndrome patients and non-MPD syndrome patients

Abstract: 1 ff’lt o e ective y reat myofascial pain-dysfunction (MPD) syndrome, it is important to understand its etiology. Malocclusion’-” and psychologic traits’.’ have been identified as causal factors. The present study will focus on the MPD syndrome patient’s stress perception and relationship of this perception to pain assessment. Such information should be of use to dentists and other health professionals who treat MPD patients. Laskin,” for example, indicates the importance of psychophysiologic theory in the treatment of MPD syndrome. He reported that, “Initiating factors for the MPD syndrome are generally emotional, rather than physical, (and) treatment must be directed toward this aspect of the problem. . . ” syndrome patients were classified by a psychiatrist as neurotic. The remaining six patients were either psychotic or healthy. These authors note that the number of patients was too small to provide statistical evidence for clusters of these findings.