Pain measurement and recording tool and method

• US 5,692,500 A
• Filed: 01/09/1995
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fannie Gaston-Johansson
• Original Assignee: Fannie Gaston-Johansson
• Inventors: Gaston-Johansson, Fannie
• Primary Examiner(s): Lacyk, John P.
• Application Number:
  US08/369,770
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 128/897-98, 128/630, 128/744
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/00 Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. instruments for taking a cell sample, for biopsy, for vaccination diagnosis vaccination prophylaxis, vaccination therapy A61B17/20; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination menstruation tables G06C3/00; Throat striking implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4824 Touch or pain perception evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06C 3/00 Arrangements for table look-up, e.g. menstruation table

Abstract

A tool for providing a multidimensional indication of the pain being experienced by a person includes multiple sets of selection indicators and sliding scales, each being indicative of variations of a respective dimension of pain selected from the group consisting of nature, intensity, location, duration, continuity and pain relief. The selection indicators are mounted on the tool in association with pain descriptors, i.e. words, with the selection indicators being adjustable between first and second states indicating whether the associated descriptor describes their pain. Likewise, the slidable scale indicators are adjustable along each of the pain scales to indicate the relative degree of the respective dimension of pain that most closely represents the pain they are experiencing. Finally, the tool displays illustrations of a human body in association with a grid for identifying the location of pain being experienced by the user. The method of the invention includes the steps of providing such a tool, causing a person to adjust the selection indicators and scale indicators to the appropriate positions for accurately describing their pain and observing those indications of pain recorded on the tool.

Claims

1. A tool for providing a multidimensional indication of the pain being experienced by a person, comprising,

a base,

a plurality of pain descriptors displayed on said base, said pain descriptors being indicative of variations of a first dimension of pain selected from the group consisting of nature, intensity, location, duration, continuity, and pain relief,

a selection indicator operatively associated with each descriptor, each selection indicator being on said base and selectively adjustable by a person between a first state indicating that the associated descriptor describes the person'"'"'s pain and a second state indicating that the associated descriptor does not describe the person'"'"'s pain,

a first elongated scale indicative of variations of a second dimension of pain selected from the above mentioned group,

a first scale indicator slidably supported on said base in association with said scale, said first scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of opposite extremes of said second dimension of pain at respective opposite ends of said first scale or the relative degree of said second dimension of pain corresponding to any position between said opposite ends, thereby to provide a cognitive measurement of the second dimension of pain,

a second elongated scale indicative of variations of a third dimension of pain selected from the above mentioned group, and

a second scale indicator slidably supported on said base in association with said second scale, said second scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of opposite extremes of said third dimension of pain at respective opposite ends of said second scale or the relative degree of said third dimension corresponding to any position between said opposite ends of the second scale, thereby to provide a cognitive measurement of the third dimension of pain.

2. A tool for providing a multidimensional indication of the pain being experienced by a person, comprising,

a base,

a plurality of pain descriptors displayed on said base, said pain descriptors being indicative of variations of a first dimension of pain selected from the group consisting of nature and continuity,

a selection indicator operatively associated with each descriptor, each selection indicator being on said base and selectively adjustable by a person between a first state indicating that the associated descriptor describes the person'"'"'s pain and a second state indicating that the associated descriptor does not describe the person'"'"'s pain,

a first elongated scale indicative of variations of a second dimension of pain selected from a second group consisting of intensity, duration and pain relief,

a first scale indicator slidably supported on said base in association with said scale, said first scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of opposite extremes of said second dimension of pain at respective opposite ends of said first scale or the relative degree of said second dimension of pain corresponding to any position between said opposite ends, thereby to provide a cognitive measurement of the second dimension of pain,

a second elongated scale indicative of variations of a third dimension of pain selected from said second group, and

a second scale indicator slidably supported on said base in association with said second scale, said second scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of opposite extremes of said third dimension of pain at respective opposite ends of said second scale or the relative degree of said third dimension corresponding to any position between said opposite ends of the second scale, thereby to provide a cognitive measurement of the third dimension of pain.

3. The tool of claim 2 wherein said plurality of pain descriptors are indicative of variations in the nature of pain and include a plurality of verbal pain descriptions.

4. The tool of claim 3 wherein said verbal pain descriptions comprise sensory pain descriptions and include a plurality of adjectives describing sensory aspects of pain.

5. The tool of claim 4 wherein said verbal pain descriptions further comprises emotional pain descriptions and include a plurality of adjectives indicative of emotional aspects of pain.

6. The tool of claim 2 wherein said first elongated scale is indicative of variations of pain intensity, said first scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of worse possible pain at one end of said first scale and no pain at the other end of the first scale or the relative extent of pain corresponding to any position therebetween.

7. The tool of claim 2 wherein said second elongated scale is indicative of variations of pain duration, said second scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of short duration at one end of said second scale and long duration at the other end of said second scale or the relative extent of duration corresponding to any position therebetween.

8. The tool of claim 2 wherein said second elongated scale is indicative of variations of pain relief, said second scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of no pain relief at one end of said scale and maximum pain relief at the other end of said scale or the relative extent of pain relief corresponding to any position therebetween.

9. The tool of claim 2 wherein said plurality of pain descriptors are indicative of variations in the continuity of pain and include a plurality of verbal descriptions of continuity.

10. The tool of claim 9 wherein said verbal descriptions of continuity include a plurality of words describing relative degrees of continuity.

11. The tool of claim 2 further comprising an illustration of a human body and means for identifying a location on said illustration corresponding to the location of pain on the person.

12. The tool of claim 11 wherein said illustration of a human body includes separate illustrations of a front and back of a human body.

13. The tool of claim 11 wherein said means for identifying a location on said illustration includes a grid overlying said illustration, and two scales associated with said grid for identifying a top to bottom and side to side position on said grid and illustration.

14. The tool of claim 13 wherein said two scales are arranged along perpendicular horizontal and vertical axis relative to said grid.

15. The tool of claim 2 wherein said base comprises a folded sheet including a front panel and back panel, said front and back panels having aligned slits therethrough defining partially severed strips adjacent one edge of said base, said first elongated scale being arranged along said slits and said first scale indicator encompassing said strips and being slidable thereon.

16. The tool of claim 15 wherein each strip is connected at both of its ends to its respective panel at the ends of the slit defining that strip.

17. The tool of claim 16 wherein said first scale indicator comprises a folded slide member having a folded edge disposed adjacent the edge of said base and opposite ends joined together between said front and back panels.

18. The tool of claim 15 wherein said selection indicator comprises a pivotal tab formed in a respective panel and having one end pivotally connected to said panel so that said tab is selectively adjustable between a substantially intact position and a pivotally raised position engaging said panel only at said one end of the tab.

19. A tool for providing a multidimensional indication of the pain being experienced by a person, comprising,

a base,

a first elongated scale on said base, said first scale indicative of variations of a first dimension of pain selected from the group consisting of intensity, duration, and pain relief,

a first scale indicator slidably supported on said base in association with said scale, said first scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of opposite extremes of said first dimension of pain at respective opposite ends of said first scale, or the relative degree of said first dimension of pain corresponding to any position between said opposite ends, thereby to provide a cognitive measurement of the first dimension of pain,

a second elongated scale on said base, said second scale indicative of variations of a second dimension of pain selected from the above mentioned group, and

a second scale indicator slidably supported on said base in association with said second scale, said second scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of opposite extremes of said second dimension of pain at respective opposite ends of said second scale or the relative degree of said second dimension corresponding to any position between said opposite ends of said second scale, thereby to provide a cognitive measurement of the second dimension of pain.

20. The tool of claim 19 further comprising a third elongated scale on said base, said third scale indicative of variations of a third dimension of pain selected from the aforementioned group, and a third scale indicator slidably supported on said base in association with said third scale, said third scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of opposite extremes of said third dimension of pain at respective opposite ends of said third scale or the relative degree of said third dimension corresponding to any position between said opposite ends of the third scale, thereby to provide a cognitive measurement of the third dimension of pain.

21. The tool of claim 19 wherein said base includes opposite front and back surfaces, said first and second scales being similarly arranged on respective opposite surfaces of said base, said first and second scale indicators comprising opposite front and back surfaces of a single unitary indicator slidably supported on said base in association with said first and second scales.

22. The tool of claim 20 wherein said first elongated scale is indicative of variations of pain intensity, said first scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of worse possible pain at one end of said first scale and no pain at the other end of the first scale or the relative extent of pain corresponding to any position therebetween.

23. The tool of claim 22 wherein said second elongated scale is indicative of variations of pain duration, said second scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of short duration at one end of said second scale and long duration at the other end of said second scale, or the relative extent of duration corresponding to any position therebetween.

24. The tool of claim 23 wherein said third elongated scale is indicative of variations of pain relief, said third scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of no pain relief at one end of said third scale and maximum possible pain relief at the other end of said third scale or the relative extent of pain relief corresponding to any position therebetween.

25. A tool for providing a multidimensional indication of the pain being experienced by a person, comprising,

a base having front and back surfaces,

a plurality of first pain descriptors displayed on said base, said first pain descriptors being indicative of variations in the nature of pain and include a plurality of verbal pain descriptions,

a plurality of first selection indicators, each operatively associated with a respective first pain descriptors and being mounted on said base and selectively adjustable by a person between a first state indicating that the respective pain descriptor describes the person'"'"'s pain and a second state indicating that the associated pain descriptor does not describe the person'"'"'s pain,

a plurality of second pain descriptors displayed on said base, said second pain descriptors being indicative of variations in the continuity of pain and include a plurality of verbal descriptions of continuity,

a plurality of second selection indicators, each operatively associated with a respective second pain descriptor and each being mounted on said base and selectively adjustable by a person between a first state indicating that the associated second pain descriptor describes the continuity of the person'"'"'s pain and the second state indicating that the associated second pain descriptor does not describe the continuity of the person'"'"'s pain,

a first elongated scale indicative of variations of pain intensity,

a first scale indicator slidably supported on said base and being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of worse possible pain at one end of said first scale and no pain at the other end of the first scale, or the relative extent of pain corresponding to any position therebetween,

a second elongated scale on said base, said second elongated scale being indicative of variations of pain duration,

a second scale indicator slidably supported on said base in association with said second scale, said second scale indicator being slidably adjustable in said base between positions indicative of short duration at one end of said second scale and long duration at the other end of said second scale, or the relative extent of duration corresponding to any position therebetween,

a third elongated scale on said base indicative of variations of pain relief, and

a third scale indicator slidably supported on said base in association with said third scale, said third scale indicator being slidably adjustable on said base between positions indicative of no pain relief at one end of said scale and maximum pain relief at the other end of said scale or the relative extent of pain relief corresponding to any position therebetween.

26. a method for providing a multidimensional indication of pain being experienced by a person, comprising,

providing a tool having a plurality of pain descriptors displayed therein, said pain descriptors being indicative of variations of a first dimension of pain selected from the group consisting of nature, and continuity, a selection indicator operatively associated with each descriptor and adjustable to first and second states indicating that the associated descriptor is descriptive and nondescriptive respectively, first and second elongated scales on said base indicative of variations of respective second and third dimensions of pain selected from a second group consisting of intensity, duration and pain relief, and first and second respective scale indicators slidably adjustable on said tool and operative in association with said respective first and second scales to provide cognitive measurements of said respective second and third dimensions of pain,

causing a person to adjust said selection indicators to said first and second states as s indications of whether the associated descriptors are descriptive of the pain being experienced by the person,

causing a person to slidably adjust the first and second scale indicators to positions on said respective first and second pain scales indicative of the extent of said respective second and third dimensions of pain being experienced by the person, and

observing the extent of said second and third dimensions of pain indicated by the adjusted first and second scale indicators on said respective first and second scales.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said tool is a handheld tool and further comprising handing said tool to the person.

28. A method for providing a multidimensional indication of pain being experienced by a person, comprising,

providing a tool having first and second elongated pain scales indicative of variations of respective first and second dimensions of pain selected from the group consisting of intensity, duration, and pain relief, and the first and second scale indicators slidably adjustable on said tool and operative in association with said respective first and second scales to provide a cognitive measurement of said first and second dimensions of pain,

causing a person to slidably adjust the first and second scale indicators to respective positions on said first and second pain scales indicative of the extent of said respective first and second dimensions of pain being experienced by the person, and

observing the cognitive measurement of said first and second dimensions of pain indicated by the respective adjusted first and second scale indicators on said respective first and second scales.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said tool has a third elongated scale indicative of variations of a third dimension of pains selected from the aforementioned group and the third scale indicator slidably adjustable on said tool and operative in association with its said third scale to provide a cognitive measurement of said third dimension of pain,

causing a person to slidably adjust the third scale indicator to a position on said third pain scale indicative of the extent of said third dimension of pain being experienced by the person, and

observing the cognitive measurement of said third dimension of pain indicated by the adjusted third scale indicator on said third scale.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said tool is a handheld tool and further comprising handing said tool to the person.