Anupa Pathak|Saurab Sharma|Mark P. Jensen
The utility and validity of pain intensity rating scales for use in developing countries
Kathmandu University|University of Otago|Kathmandu University|University of Otago|University of Washington
pain intensity domain often assessed pain research although numerical rating scale recommended use western countries utility validity scale relative others established nonwestern developing countries nepalhere sought 1 identify 4 commonly used pain scales preferred nepalese 2 compare error rates 3 determine whether preference error rates influenced age education level 4 evaluate construct validity scale using factor analysistwo hundred two adults musculoskeletal pain nepal rated worst average pain intensity using 4 scales selected preferred scalethe results indicate faces pain scalerevised preferred scale followed verbal rating scale numerical rating scale visual analogue scale least preferred higher rates incorrect responses especially among older participants however scales demonstrated adequate construct validity measures pain intensity among participants could accurately use 4 scalesthe findings indicate faces pain scalerevised first choice assessing pain intensity nepalese adults research needed determine whether findings replicate nonwestern developing countries identify pain intensity measure would best choice use crosscultural pain research