Objective Pain Score for Chronic Pain Clinic Patients
Objective Pain Score for Chronic Pain Clinic Patients
Currently, there is no observational pain scale for use in the outpatient setting for adult
 patients. An observational pain scale can allow for objective measurement of pain in patients
 over time and after treatment without the bias associated with self-report. Currently chronic
 pain patients are asked to rate their pain many times throughout their care, often over
 years. This introduces a bias in reporting as a pain a person is currently experiencing will
 seem more severe then a remembered pain event. A behavioral pain scale would allow for an
 objective measurement of pain that is reliable across multiple raters and comparable over
 time, which can help in judging the success of pain treatments.
This is a prospective observational study. No changes in therapy will be initiated due to the
 information gathered by its protocol. All medical decisions will be based on the management
 of the clinical team. Data will be gathered during the subject's clinical visit, from the
 subject, and from the nursing staff caring for the subject.

 The Chronic Pain Behavioral Pain Scale for Adults was developed by the research team based on
 behavior pain scales used in other populations and the clinical expertise of Chronic Pain
 specialists in the Hershey Medical Center Chronic Pain department.

 Patients will be scored on the Chronic Pain Behavioral Pain Scale for Adults and the standard
 11 point numeric rating scale (Jensen, Turner et al., 1996), on intake. Scoring will be done
 by the patient's assigned nurse and a member of the research team, at the time when the
 numeric pain score is typically obtained. The patient will be scored again on both the
 Chronic Pain Behavioral Pain Scale for Adults and the standard numeric rating pain scale at
 the conclusion of their procedure, again at the time when the numerical pain score is
 typically obtained. Scoring will again be done by the patient's assigned nurse and a member
 of the research team. The Chronic Pain Behavioral Pain Scale for Adults will be tested for
 inter-rater reliability using the paired scores from the nurse and researcher for each
 subject. Concurrent Validity will be measured using comparison between the numeric rating
 scale and the behavioral pain scale on each subject at each time point. Construct validity
 will be measured by comparing the behavioral pain score before and after the interventional
 pain treatment.

 For training purposes, the assigned nurse and research team member will be provided a copy of
 the "Chronic Pain Behavioral Pain Scale for Adults" chart to be utilized during their patient
 encounters. Each team member will be individually instructed in the use of the scale
 immediately preceding their first use of the scales. This training will include a discussion
 of the elements, the definition of behaviors, and the use of the scoring system.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Adults age 18-75

 2. Patients able to self-report their pain using a validated pain scale

 3. Patients of the chronic pain clinic who will be receiving a pain treatment procedure

 4. English speaking

 5. Received and signed a consent to participate in the study

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Pregnant and lactating women

 2. Patient with chronic malignant pain

 3. Patients less than 18

 4. Patient older than 75

 5. Patients with dementia

 6. Non-English speaking patients

 7. Patients unable to do a self-report pain scale

 8. Uncontrolled psychiatric conditions

 9. Uncontrolled substance abuse issues

 10. Patient's lost to follow-up

 11. Patients who don't wish to participate