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Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS)
Ten-item self-report scale quantifying the intensity and quality of neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS)
Sharpest pain in the last 24 hours
/10
Hot pain
/10
Dull pain
/10
Cold pain
/10
Sensitive skin (to light touch/clothing)
/10
Itchy pain
/10
Overall pain intensity
/10
Overall unpleasantness of the pain
/10
Deep pain
/10
Surface pain
/10
Complete the fields above to see the result.
When to use
- Quantifying and characterising the multiple sensory qualities of neuropathic pain (e.g. from diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, nerve injury) and tracking response to treatment.
Formula
Sum of 10 items, each self-rated 0-10 (sharp, hot, dull, cold, sensitive, itchy, intensity, unpleasantness, deep, surface pain). Range 0-100.
Pearls and pitfalls
- Designed to discriminate between different neuropathic pain qualities, not only overall severity, which can help track treatment-specific effects.
- Not a diagnostic tool; it quantifies pain already attributed to a neuropathic mechanism.