Stuff You Should Know Selects: Pain Scales: Yeeeow!
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Oct 14, 2023 Pain is a fascinating and complex topic, especially when it comes to measuring it. The discussion dives into the challenges of self-reporting and the nuances of various pain scales, particularly for children and the elderly. Anecdotes and humor shine a light on the difficulties in pain assessment, revealing ethical concerns and historical misconceptions. The exploration of psychological and physiological factors surrounding pain makes for an engaging and enlightening experience, emphasizing the subjective nature of pain in both medical settings and everyday life.
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Dolorimeter
- In 1940, Cornell researchers created a "Dolorimeter" to objectively measure pain using a focused heat lamp.
- The Dolorimeter's results proved irreproducible, highlighting the subjective nature of pain.
Shinbone Pressure Device
- Dr. Lauren DeJulius Bela Glutsek invented a pain-measuring device that applied pressure to the shinbone, claiming 97% accuracy.
- This device, like the Dolorimeter, did not become widely accepted, suggesting its inaccuracy.
Self-Reporting Pain Scales
- Kenneth Keel suggested simply asking people about their pain levels using a numerical scale.
- This subjective approach became the standard, recognizing the inherent subjectivity of pain.