Expected and Experienced Pain Levels in Electromyography.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to assess pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS) in patients awaiting an EMG procedure (i.e., expected VAS) and after an EMG procedure (i.e., experienced VAS).

Methods: Expected and experienced pain in response to nerve conduction studies (NCS) and needle EMG were assessed in 108 patients (61 females, 47 males; mean age 43.2±11.6) using a VAS.

Results: No significant correlations were noted between the expected or the experienced VAS in response to EMG and demographic features of the patients. The expected VAS was significantly higher than the experienced VAS in response to needle EMG (p=0.005). The highest VAS level was noted in the expected VAS in response to needle EMG (4.7±2.2). The lowest VAS level was noted in the experienced VAS in response to NCS (3.6±2.5).

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that neither the expected nor the experienced pain associated with EMG exceeded a moderate level. Interestingly, we found that expected pain levels in response to needle EMG were significantly higher than experienced pain levels. Therefore, it may be possible to increase compliance if patients are provided with this information before undergoing electrophysiological procedures.