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Patient perception of pain versus observed pain behavior during a standardized electrodiagnostic test
Author(s) -
Verson Josh,
Haig Andrew J.,
Sandella Danielle,
Yamakawa Karen S.J.,
London Zachary,
TomkinsLane Christy
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.24308
Subject(s) - medicine , visual analogue scale , physical therapy , asymptomatic , physical medicine and rehabilitation , pain catastrophizing , mcgill pain questionnaire , chronic pain
: Clinicians often assume that observations of pain behavior are adequate for assessment of patient pain perception during procedures. This has not been tested during a standardized electrodiagnostic experience. Methods : During a prospective trial including extensive, standardized electrodiagnostic testing on persons with lumbar stenosis, vascular claudication, and asymptomatic volunteers, the subjects and an observer rated levels of pain. Results : In 60 subjects, observers significantly under‐rated pain (Visual Analog Scale 3.17 ± 2.23 vs. 4.38 ± 2.01, t = −4.577, df = 59, P < 0.001). Perceived pain during testing related to bodily pain as measured by the visual analog, McGill, Pain Disability, and Quebec scales, but not age, duration of symptoms, Tampa kinesiphobia, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, or SF‐36 health quality of life. Conclusions : Persons with worse pain syndromes may perceive more pain during testing than others. Clinicians and researchers should understand that patients may have more pain than they recognize. Muscle Nerve 51 : 185–191, 2015