Application of the Behavioural Indicators of Pain Scale in patients with traumatic brain injury

Aim To develop and psychometrically test the Behavioural Indicators of Pain Scale (ESCID) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design A prospective observational study to test the psychometric properties of the Behavioural Indicators of Pain Scale in patients with TBI. Method A convenience sample of patients with TBI, who were non‐communicative and using invasive mechanical ventilation was selected. Pain was evaluated by two observers who were blinded from each other. Assessments were performed at baseline via the performance of a painful procedure (aspiration of secretions) and a non‐painful procedure (rubbing with a gauze). Assessments were repeated after application of procedures on days 1 and 6 of hospitalization in an intensive care unit. Data were collected between January–December 2016. Results About 134 patients were included in the study. Of these, 76.1% were men. The mean age of participants was 45.2 (SD 17.5) years. The pain score significantly increased during the painful procedure when compared with the baseline measure and non‐painful procedure (p