A comparison of pain rating scales

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Abstract

In the course of studying episiotomy pain in a small group of women (n = 26), a number of commonly used rating scales were compared. The results showed wide variation in the distribution of ratings between scales. Variation also emerged with respect to the degree of concordance between rating scale differences over time and subjective comparisons. The implications of these results are considered in terms of: (a) the way in which reliance on single rating scales may give rise to a misleading impression; and (b) the need to assess the various components of pain. Routine inclusion of multidimensional assessment methods is recommended.

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