Numeric pain rating scale
Short definition
The numeric pain rating scale is a tool in which a person rates the intensity of their pain with a number from 0 («no pain») to 10 («worst pain imaginable»).
In plain language
It is one of the most widely used pain scales in hospitals and research, because it is simple, can be given verbally and needs no paper. It allows pain to be tracked over time and compared before and after a procedure or intervention. Like other self-report scales, it may not be suitable for young children or people with advanced dementia, for whom observational scales exist.