Abstract:

Objective To examine the test-retest reliability of 5 pain intensity assessment scales, i.e., Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Verbal Descriptor Scale (VDS), Facial Pain Scale - Revised (FPS-R), and Mix Scale (MIX) in older adults with low back pain. Methods 30 older patients with low back pain volunteered in this study, and rated their pains with VAS, NRS, VDS, FPS-R, and MIX twice within 24 h. Test-retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results ICC was in range of 0.543~ 0.754, and ranked as NRS, FPS-R, MIX, VAS, VDS from more to less. Conclusion All the assessments were appropriate to evaluate the intensity of back pain among elderly, recommending NRS and FPS-R.

Key words: elderly, back pain, pain intensity, assessment, reliability