RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Subjective pain intensity can be measured using instruments like the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R), Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). However, information on physiotherapists' and patients' knowledge and preference for these tools is scarce. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the knowledge and preference of physiotherapists and participants with musculoskeletal pain (MP) regarding the pain intensity measurement scales. METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of physiotherapists and participants with MP. Physiotherapists were recruited via social media for an online open survey, gathering sociodemographic, professional data, and their knowledge and preferences for pain intensity scales. Participants over 18 with MP, participated in interviews focusing on their familiarity and preferences for pain intensity scales. Data was analyzed descriptively, and Chi-squared test evaluated scale preferences. RESULTS: We included 352 physiotherapists (mean experience = 10.5 years) and 94 participants with MP. Of the physiotherapists, 94.3% were familiar with pain scales, but 30.4% struggled to differentiate them. The NPRS was the most used (56.3%) and preferred scale (52.4%). Among participants with MP, unfamiliarity was noted with all scales. After instruction, 46% preferred FPS-R, with preference varying by income and education levels (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found a knowledge gap among physiotherapists in identifying pain intensity scales, with a preference for the NPRS among those familiar with the scales. Participants with MP had limited familiarity with these scales. After instructions, these participants preferred the FPS-R, particularly those with lower income and education levels.
RESUMO
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Virtual reality can have a modulatory action on pain and the autonomic nervous system. This study sought to verify the effect of two different VR stimuli on the pressure pain threshold and heart rate variability. METHODS: Healthy volunteers were randomized into two groups of virtual reality, nature and control. The pressure pain threshold was measured pre and post stimulus and heart rate variability measurements were collected pre, during and after virtual reality stimuli. The exploratory data analysis was performed. The t test was used to compare pressure pain threshold. For the differences in heart rate variability measurements, the linear mixed model was used. The level of significance adopted was 95%. RESULTS: The virtual reality nature group was composed of 19 participants with mean age of 22.7±4.72 years and the control virtual reality group was composed of 22 participants with mean age of 21.13±2.42 years. The virtual reality nature group showed an increase in the pressure pain threshold after virtual reality and the mean difference was -0.41 [CI (95%)= -0.74 to -0.07; p=0.01]. There was no difference in heart rate variability parameters measured during and after virtual reality stimulation. CONCLUSION: The group that was exposed to a virtual reality stimulus with scenes from nature showed an increase in the pressure pain threshold. There was no difference in heart rate variability between groups.
RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A realidade virtual pode ter ação modulatória sobre a dor e o sistema nervoso autônomo. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito de dois estímulos diferentes de realidade virtual sobre o limiar de dor a pressão e a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca. MÉTODOS: Os voluntários sadios foram randomizados para dois grupos de realidade virtual, natureza e controle. Foram coletadas as medidas do limiar de dor a pressão pré e pós-estímulo e as medidas da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca pré, durante e após o estímulo de realidade virtual. Foi realizada a análise exploratória dos dados. O teste t foi utilizado para comparar o limiar de dor a pressão. Para as diferenças nas medidas da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca utilizou-se o modelo linear misto. O nível de significância adotado foi de 95%. RESULTADOS: O grupo realidade virtual natureza foi composto por 19 participantes com média de idade de 22,7±4,72 anos e o grupo realidade virtual controle foi composto por 22 participantes com média de idade de 21,13±2,42 anos. O grupo realidade virtual natureza apresentou um aumento do limiar de dor a pressão após realidade virtual e a diferença entre as médias foi de -0,41 [IC (95%)=-0,74 a -0,07; p=0,01]. Não houve diferença para os parâmetros da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca mensurados durante e após o estímulo de realidade virtual. CONCLUSÃO: O grupo que foi exposto a um estímulo de realidade virtual com cenas da natureza apresentou um aumento do limiar de dor. Não foram observadas diferenças na variabilidade da frequência cardíaca entre os grupos.