Although a variety of pain and physical functioning outcome measures have been reported in the literature , few have demonstrate method ologically strong psychometric properties .
INTRODUCTION A range of outcome measures across various domains are used to evaluate change following an intervention in clinical trials on chronic neuropathic pain ( NeP ) .
However , to capture a real change in the variable of interest , the psychometric properties of a particular measure should demonstrate appropriate method ological quality .
Various outcome measures in the domains of pain and physical functioning have been used in the literature for NeP , for which individual properties ( eg , reliability/validity ) have been reported .
The Validity of the Neuropathic Pain Scale for Assessing Diabetic Neuropathic Pain in a Clinical Trial
Objectives : In controlled trials of analgesics for the treatment of neuropathic pain , the primary outcome variable is most often a measure of global pain intensity . However , because neuropathic pain is associated with a variety of pain sensations , the effects of analgesic treatments on different sensations could go undetected if specific pain qualities are not assessed . This study sought to evaluate the utility of assessing the multiple components of neuropathic pain in an analgesic clinical trial . Methods : One hundred fifty-nine subjects with diabetes-related foot pain were r and omly assigned to receive an active analgesic ( controlled-release oxycodone ) or matching placebo for 6 weeks . A multidimensional measure of neuropathic pain , the Neuropathic Pain Scale ( NPS ) , was administered before , during , and after study treatment . Results : Relative to placebo , the opioid analgesic produced statistically significantly greater decreases in global pain intensity , pain unpleasantness , and sharp , dull , and deep pain sensations . Responder analyses indicated a higher rate of responding to the opioid condition , relative to placebo , for intense , unpleasant , deep , and surface pain . The opioid analgesic did not significantly reduce hot , cold , itchy , or sensitive pain sensations compared with placebo in either analysis . Conclusions : These findings support the utility of the NPS for characterizing the multidimensional nature of the neuropathic pain experience and for detecting changes in neuropathic pain with treatment
Although a variety of pain and physical functioning outcome measures have been reported in the literature , few have demonstrate method ologically strong psychometric properties .
INTRODUCTION A range of outcome measures across various domains are used to evaluate change following an intervention in clinical trials on chronic neuropathic pain ( NeP ) .
However , to capture a real change in the variable of interest , the psychometric properties of a particular measure should demonstrate appropriate method ological quality .
Various outcome measures in the domains of pain and physical functioning have been used in the literature for NeP , for which individual properties ( eg , reliability/validity ) have been reported .