Quality of life (QoL)

Quality of life is a broad measure that captures a patient’s overall well-being, extending far beyond the presence or absence of pain.

It includes physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships and ability to participate in meaningful activities. Chronic pain has a profound effect on QoL, often disrupting sleep, reducing mobility, straining relationships and lowering emotional resilience.

In pain medicine, improving QoL is considered just as important as lowering pain intensity. Treatments are therefore evaluated not only by how much they reduce pain but also by how they restore everyday function and participation. Standardized questionnaires, such as the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the EuroQol EQ-5D, provide validated ways to measure QoL changes. By focusing on QoL, physicians ensure that therapies are not just targeting symptoms, but helping patients reclaim fuller, more meaningful lives.