Abstract
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the extent to which non-pain intensity factors influence the ratings of pain intensity on two commonly used measures: the Wong-Baker Faces pain rating scale (FACES) and the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) in a sample of youths with physical disabilities and bothersome pain. Study participants came from a convenience sample of 115 youths (age: = 14.4 years; SD = 3.3), who participated in a survey on the impact of pain in young people with a physical disability. They were administered measures of pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, depressive symptoms, pain interference, and pain control beliefs. Zero-order correlation analyses were used to examine the associations among the pain intensity scores, while regression analyses were used to test the influence of the non-pain intensity factors on the pain intensity scores. Although pain intensity scores from all scales were significantly associated with one another, the correlations were moderate. Regression analyses showed that the FACES and VRS also reflect pain interference, in addition to pain intensity. The fact that the FACES and VRS ratings reflect more than pain intensity should be considered when selecting a pain measure. The results of this study also provide information to help interpret results after treatment.
Highlights
Research has shown that chronic pain is a major problem in individuals with disabilities [1, 2], including youths with disabilities [3,4,5,6]
This study provides new information on the potential influence of psychosocial factors on pain intensity reports, in a new sample of youths with a physical disability and bothersome pain
Pain intensity ratings provided with the VRS6 and the Faces pain rating scale (FACES) were influenced by psychosocial factors, as demonstrated by their significant associations with a measure of pain interference
Summary
Research has shown that chronic pain is a major problem in individuals with disabilities [1, 2], including youths with disabilities [3,4,5,6]. Some of the most commonly used self-report measures of pain intensity in youths are the 0–10 Numerical Rating Scale [NRS-11; e.g., [8, 9]], the Verbal Rating Scale [VRS; e.g., [10, 11]], the Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale [FACES; e.g., [12, 13]], and the revised form of the Faces Pain Scale [FPS-R; e.g., [14, 15]] All these scales are known to have strengths and weaknesses; generally speaking, the NRS-11 has been recommended as the best option in most settings and with most populations [7, 8, 16]. Study results indicated that these four scales measure one common factor, the measures were not consonant (i.e., their scores were not interchangeable)
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