[A primary evaluation of VAS for use in clinical experimental pain assessment]

The visual analogue scale (VAS) is a commonly used method for pain measurement abroad, though its clinical use has not been reported in our country. Fifty patients, who had received lower abdomen and lower extremities stimulation, were studied. Pain was induced by hand needle and electric needle stimulation. The data demonstrated that VAS is reliable and precise, that electric needle stimulation is more sensitive than hand needle stimulation, and that the factors of age, profession and education level affect the measured value of pain.