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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery
09:38

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery

Published on: April 14, 2016

The minimum clinically important difference in physician-assigned visual analog pain scores

K H Todd1, J P Funk

  • 1Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Academic Emergency Medicine : Official Journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
|February 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

The minimum clinically important difference in physician-assessed pain using the visual analog scale (VAS) is 18 mm. Statistically significant pain score changes below this threshold may lack clinical relevance.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Research
  • Pain Management
  • Clinical Significance

Background:

  • The visual analog scale (VAS) is widely used to measure pain intensity.
  • Establishing the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) is crucial for interpreting pain score changes.
  • Physician perception of pain is a key factor in clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for physician-assigned visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores.
  • To provide a benchmark for evaluating the clinical relevance of pain score variations.

Main Methods:

  • Physicians rated pain in 11 patient scenarios using a 100-mm VAS.
  • Participants compared pain between sequential scenarios, categorizing changes as 'a little less' or 'a little more'.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery
09:38

Determining Pain Detection and Tolerance Thresholds Using an Integrated, Multi-Modal Pain Task Battery

Published on: April 14, 2016

A Protocol of Manual Tests to Measure Sensation and Pain in Humans
07:28

A Protocol of Manual Tests to Measure Sensation and Pain in Humans

Published on: December 19, 2016

Quantifying Pain Location and Intensity with Multimodal Pain Body Diagrams
09:00

Quantifying Pain Location and Intensity with Multimodal Pain Body Diagrams

Published on: July 7, 2023

  • The MCID was calculated based on the average VAS difference for these specific change categories.

    • Main Results:

    • A total of 230 pain comparisons were analyzed from 23 health professionals.
    • Pain perceived as 'a little less' or 'a little more' severe corresponded to a mean VAS difference of 18 mm.
    • This 18-mm difference represents a 23% decrement in pain score from the preceding scenario.

    Conclusions:

    • A change of less than 18 mm on the VAS, or a 23% decrement, may not represent a clinically important difference in physician-assigned pain.
    • Statistically significant findings below this 18-mm threshold may have limited clinical applicability in pain research.
    • This study provides valuable data for the interpretation of VAS pain scores in clinical practice and research.