nps_pain_scale: Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS)

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS)

Description

Calculates the Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS) score. Unlike diagnostic tools (e.g., DN4), the NPS is designed to assess the distinct qualities of neuropathic pain (e.g., sharp, hot, dull) and monitor changes in these specific symptoms over time or in response to treatment.

Usage

nps_pain_scale(intensity, sharp, hot, dull, cold, sensitive, itchy,
               unpleasant, deep, surface)

Arguments

intensity	Numeric (0-10). How intense is the pain? (0=No pain, 10=Most intense pain imaginable).
sharp	Numeric (0-10). How sharp is the pain? (0=Not sharp, 10=Most sharp sensation imaginable).
hot	Numeric (0-10). How hot is the pain? (0=Not hot, 10=Most hot sensation imaginable).
dull	Numeric (0-10). How dull is the pain? (0=Not dull, 10=Most dull sensation imaginable).
cold	Numeric (0-10). How cold is the pain? (0=Not cold, 10=Most cold sensation imaginable).
sensitive	Numeric (0-10). How sensitive is the skin to light touch/clothing? (0=Not sensitive, 10=Most sensitive sensation imaginable).
itchy	Numeric (0-10). How itchy is the pain? (0=Not itchy, 10=Most itchy sensation imaginable).
unpleasant	Numeric (0-10). How unpleasant is the pain? (0=Not unpleasant, 10=Most unpleasant sensation imaginable).
deep	Numeric (0-10). How intense is the deep pain? (0=No deep pain, 10=Most intense deep pain imaginable).
surface	Numeric (0-10). How intense is the surface pain? (0=No surface pain, 10=Most intense surface pain imaginable).

Value

A list containing:

NPS_Total_Score	The sum of all 10 item scores (Range 0-100).
Interpretation	Guidance on using the score for monitoring treatment response.
Domain_Scores	A breakdown of the individual pain quality scores.

References

Galer BS, Jensen MP. Development and preliminary validation of a pain measure specific to neuropathic pain: the Neuropathic Pain Scale. Neurology. 1997;48(2):332-338. doi:10.1212/wnl.48.2.332

Examples

# Example 1: High Sharp/Sensitive Pain
# Intensity(8), Sharp(9), Hot(2), Dull(1), Cold(0), Sensitive(9),
# Itchy(0), Unpleasant(8), Deep(2), Surface(9)
# Total = 48
nps_pain_scale(8, 9, 2, 1, 0, 9, 0, 8, 2, 9)

# Example 2: Low Intensity
# All items scored 1
# Total = 10
nps_pain_scale(1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1)

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.