Verification of the critical-care pain observation tool in conscious patients with hemiparesis or cognitive dysfunction.

Abstract Purpose Altered cognition or hemiparesis can occur in neurocritical but conscious patients, and recognizing pain is challenging. This study aimed to test the reliability and validity of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) in this specific group. Materials and methods This prospective study included ventilated, conscious patients who had certain neurologic deficits. CPOT scores were assessed before and after nociceptive (turning the patient) and non-nociceptive (measuring body temperature) procedures. The patients' self-reported pain was also recorded using a numerical rating scale (NRS). Results Sixty-three patients were enrolled. The intraclass correlation coefficient was r = 0.975–1.000 (p Conclusions The CPOT is an appropriate instrument to assess pain in conscious patients, particularly those with cognitive dysfunction. The influence of hemiparesis on the CPOT is noteworthy.