Reliability of a visual analog scale for determining the preferred mastication side

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Biomedical Engineering
• Biomechanics

Background:

• The visual analog scale (VAS) is a widely used tool for quantifying subjective symptom perception.
• However, its application in assessing subjective masticatory laterality has not been previously explored.
• This study addresses the gap in understanding the reliability of VAS for this specific application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability of the visual analog scale (VAS) in determining the preferred mastication side (PMS).
• To compare the VAS method with seven other established methods for PMS determination.
• To assess the validity and reliability of different PMS assessment techniques.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 42 adults with natural dentition.
• Eight distinct methods were employed to determine PMS, varying definitions, food types, and assessment parameters.
• Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in 10 participants.

Main Results:

• Self-assessment using the VAS demonstrated the highest reliability among all tested methods.
• The VAS showed a significant positive correlation with six out of the seven other methods.
• The most valid method involved bagged silicone, video recording, and the asymmetry index for all masticatory cycles.

Conclusions:

• The visual analog scale (VAS) offers a highly reliable method for assessing an individual's perceived masticatory laterality.
• The VAS results showed a significant positive correlation with most other evaluated methods, supporting its validity.
• This suggests the VAS is a practical and dependable tool for subjective assessment of chewing side preference.