What Is an NPS Questionnaire in Neuropathic Pain?
The NPS questionnaire is a neuropathic pain scale that was originally designed to help health care professionals determine qualities associated with neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is defined as pain caused by damage to the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system. The scale is used to help diagnose and rehabilitate individuals using a variety of treatments, including psychological approaches to pain management.
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History
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The NPS scale was created by Bradley Galer, MD with the Departments of Neurology and Anesthesiology, and Mark Jensen, PhD with Rehabilitation Medicine, both from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington. In 1996, they published a paper that described the development of the neuropathic pain scale, which they had designed to assess "distinct pain qualities associated with neuropathic pain."
Components of Pain
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The NPS is one of the first scales to assess the specifics of neuropathic pain. It includes measurements of major factors in a patient's pain history that include, but are not limited to: onset, location, characteristics of the pain, severity and associated symptoms.
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Classifications of the NPS
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The neuropathic pain scale is broken down into classifications of pain intensity and specific qualities of pain, including whether a pain is dull, sharp, hot or cold. Other classifications include whether or not the pain feels sensitive or itchy, or is deep or on the surface.
Studies
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The neuropathic pain scale has undergone a development process that has validated its structure and usefulness. Studies of over 175 individuals to date verify that the scale is useful as a screening measure or instrument to distinguish neuropathic pain from other pain.
Future Use
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According to the WHO Pain and Palliative Care Communications Program, the neuropathic pain scale is a valuable tool in "predictive power and discriminating between subgroups of patients with neuropathic pain." Because the scale is brief, to the point and easy to use, it is valuable in medical applications and facilities as a tool with which to quickly assess pain, the response to it, and the initiation of diagnosis and treatment for the benefit of patients.
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