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Related Experiment Videos

The pain visual analog scale: is it linear or nonlinear?

P S Myles1, S Troedel, M Boquest

  • 1Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Alfred Hospital, Prahan, Victoria, Australia. p.myles@alfred.org.au

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|December 10, 1999
PubMed
Summary
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The visual analog scale (VAS) is a reliable tool for measuring pain intensity. This study confirms that VAS scores can be treated as ratio data, supporting its use in clinical trials.

Area of Science:

  • Pain Management
  • Psychometrics

Background:

  • The visual analog scale (VAS) is frequently used for pain assessment.
  • Debate exists regarding whether VAS scores represent ratio or ordinal data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if the visual analog scale (VAS) yields ratio data for pain intensity.
  • To validate the VAS as a quantitative measure in pain research.

Main Methods:

  • 52 postoperative patients rated their pain intensity using the VAS (VAS1).
  • Patients conceptually adjusted their pain perception (twice as much, half as much) and re-rated (VAS2, VAS3).
  • Pain was pharmacologically managed (IV fentanyl) for further assessment of half-pain ratings.

Main Results:

  • The mean ratio of VAS2 to VAS1 was 2.12 (95% CI: 1.81-2.43).

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  • The mean ratio of VAS3 to VAS1 was 0.45 (95% CI: 0.38-0.52).
  • These findings indicate linearity in VAS scores for mild-to-moderate pain.

    • Conclusions:

    • The visual analog scale (VAS) provides ratio data for pain intensity.
    • VAS scores can be reliably used to quantify pain magnitude and compare analgesic efficacy in trials.