Resumen

FRUTUOSO, Joselma Tavares  y  CRUZ, Roberto Moraes. Verbal reports in the psychological evaluation of pain. Aval. psicol. [online]. 2004, vol.3, n.2, pp.107-114. ISSN 1677-0471.

This article discusses the importance of verbal reports in the psychological evaluation of pain. Pain is a multidimensional phenomenon with sensory, emotional and cognitive elements. Psychological aspects play an important role in the initiation, aggravation and maintenance of pain. Irrespective of duration (acute, chronic or episodic), pain is described as unpleasant. Its intensity and frequency generate physical and psychological discomfort that interfere in daily activities. In providing information regarding pain, verbal reports (oral or written) help in diagnosis and the development of prevention and treatment strategies. The McGill Pain Questionnaire illustrates the importance of verbal reports in pain evaluation, describing quantitative and qualitative aspects of pain perception.

Palabras clave : Verbal reports; Psychological evaluation of pain; McGill Pain Questionnaire.

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