Weekly pain assessment may be as accurate as daily data

AORN Journal,  May, 2006  

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In contrast to findings from previous studies, researchers have found that traditional recalled-pain assessments may be as accurate as daily electronic pain diaries, according to a March 21, 2006, news release from the American Pain Society. Pain management practitioners rely on patient self-reports to assess pain intensity. Previous studies have suggested that reporting pain daily may be more effective than rating pain weekly from memory.

Researchers asked 21 patients with Low back pain to monitor their pain, mood, activity, medications, and side effects daily for up to one year on a hand-held personal data assistant (PDA). Participants also were called once a week to report their weekly pain on a scale of one to 10. Researchers found that the daily pain reports and the weekly pain-recall ratings were in strong agreement, and remembered pain ratings were not compromised by recall biases. These results suggest that the daily use of PDAs may not be a more accurate form of reporting pain.

Can Palm Pilots Aid in Pain Management? (news release, Glenview, Ill: American Pain Society, March 21, 2006).

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