Memory for pain

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Abstract
Memory for head pain was assessed by the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Neurosurgical patients [16] were divided into 2 groups to examine the decay of memory over time; 1 group recalled pain after 5 days and the other recalled pain after 1 day and then again, after 5 days. The recall of pain was very accurate. The memory for pain showed little decay over time. The small subgroup of patients who made specific errors when recalling pain comprised women who had high levels of pain and affect at the initial assessment. The accuracy and reliability of pain reports from memory were discussed.