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Pain assessment is the key to the effective treatment of both acute and chronic pain. Pain is a multifaceted phenomenon; a mixture of sensory, emotional, and cultural experiences. As pain is a complex internal event, self-reports are becoming valuable tools in research and practice. The visual analog scale (VAS), in particular, is one of the most popular subjective measurements used in the effective assessment and treatment of pain intensity.
The visual analog scale, also known as the graphic rating scale is a simple, valid, and reliable subjective measure. Interestingly, the scale was used for the first time in 1921, by Hayes and Patterson. The visual analog scale allows patients to assess their pain experiences with high precision. Scores are ranked on a 10-cm line that stretches between two extremes – “no pain” and “worst pain” (Delgado et al., 2018). Note that this scale can be represented as a horizontal or a vertical line. Moreover, the visual analog scale is a versatile continuous scale that can be applied to a wide range of clinical settings, such as labor pain, neuropathic pain, fatigue in chronic pain, and patient’s quality of life.
The visual analog scale reveals numerous benefits in medical research and routine clinical care (Kliger et al., 2015). Some of its major strengths are:
That said, the visual analog scale has a few limitations. One of the disadvantages of the visual analog scale is the need for clear vision. Research shows the scale can be challenging for 7%-16% of patients who are unable to convert pain experience to an abstract line (e.g., children and mentally challenged patients). In addition, researchers disapprove of the inability to administer the scale remotely (e.g., telephone-based assessments or interactive voice response). Yet, the visual analog scale is one of the most powerful pain assessments used in practice.
The selection of an appropriate subjective measurement in research and clinical care is paramount, and it’s often based on the psychometric properties of the scale of interest. The visual analog scale, in particular, reveals good psychometric properties, such as validity, reliability, and sensitivity. In fact, research shows that the scale is more sensitive than a four-point verbal rating scale and equally well-accepted as a faces rating scale. The visual analog scale is simple to complete and analyze; it’s also able to identify cut-off scores of patients with clinically significant symptoms (Safikhani et al., 2018).
Interestingly, some researchers suggest that the visual analog scale and the numeric rating scale can be used interchangeably. Nevertheless, Kliger and colleagues conducted a retrospective study, involving 796 patients with chronic pain, and concluded that the two scales could not be defined as interchangeable (Kliger et al., 2015). Despite the high Spearman correlations between the visual analog scale and the verbal rating scale, each measurement has its specific benefits and applications. The interpretation of any subjective scale is also crucial. Note that a change of about 10 mm on a 100-mm visual analog scale is considered clinically significant (Vautier, 2011). In fact, with its good psychometric properties, the visual analog scale reveals numerous benefits over other pain assessments.
The visual analog scale can be applied across numerous clinical settings. The instrument, for instance, is highly beneficial in the measurement of the unidimensional aspects of pain. Patients express preferences of visual analog scales over verbal rating scales as visual analog scales do not limit responses to a number of pain categories (Aicher et al., 2012). Note that when it comes to verbal rating scales, the use of an uneven number of descriptors often leads to regression towards the mean, while the use of more than seven descriptors decreases the reliability of the scale.
Interestingly, Aicher and colleagues assessed the performance of the visual analog scale in patients suffering from severe headaches. Patients were required to draw a line on a 100-mm vertical scale. Visual analog scales showed better sensitivity and acceptance compared to verbal rating scales. As the scale represents a continuous line, the visual analog method reveals high sensitivity. Note that previous research revealed the superiority of the combination of acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, and caffeine over the combination without caffeine or the single preparations.
Visual analog scales can be applied to other subjective phenomena, such as tense arousal and mood. The visual analog scale can be used across numerous settings:
Mood and depression: Mood assessments and journals are essential for one’s well-being. The visual analog scale, in particular, can help experts detect the first signs of depression which can improve treatment. Research shows that the visual analog scale is a useful tool in the assessment of depressive symptoms, including depression in elderly and cognitively impaired patients.
With its numerous benefits in practice and high psychometric properties, the visual analog scale becomes an essential instrument in the assessment of labor pain. Pain assessment during labor requires specific considerations as pain experience is influenced by individual factors, cultural differences, and gestational age. Examining labor pain is essential in the effective administration of analgesia and patients’ safety (Wei et al., 2010). Note that in some parts of the world, maternity mortality rates are high, and often caused by the dismissal of reported pain during birth and postpartum.
Thus, the selection of a reliable, valid, and sensitive tool is crucial. Research shows that the visual analog scale can be a useful instrument in the assessment of pain intensity during labor. Effective pain assessment requires more than one recording over time. On top of that, pain assessment must tackle the psychological aspects of pain experiences, as well as the overall emotional significance of childbirth.
With its numerous benefits in practice and high psychometric properties, the visual analog scale becomes an essential instrument in the assessment of labor pain. Pain assessment during labor requires specific considerations as pain experience is influenced by individual factors, cultural differences, and gestational age. Examining labor pain is essential in the effective administration of analgesia and patients’ safety (Wei et al., 2010). Note that in some parts of the world, maternity mortality rates are high, and often caused by the dismissal of reported pain during birth and postpartum.
Thus, the selection of a reliable, valid, and sensitive tool is crucial. Research shows that the visual analog scale can be a useful instrument in the assessment of pain intensity during labor. Effective pain assessment requires more than one recording over time. On top of that, pain assessment must tackle the psychological aspects of pain experiences, as well as the overall emotional significance of childbirth.
The visual analog scale is among the most popular pain assessments which benefit research and medical care. The scale consists of a 10-cm line on which patients can rate their pain experience. The scale reveals good psychometric qualities and high compliance. With its numerous strengths, the visual analog scale can be implemented across various settings, such as childbirth, hip pain, etc. It can be used to assess pain progression and compare pain experiences between patients. This scale is also a valuable tool in the assessment of depression, appetite, and asthma. The digital version of the visual analog scale, in particular, can revolutionize pain assessment and treatment. Both the mobile and the laptop versions of the scale improve user experience and data interoperability.
To sum up, as pain is a personal experience, pain assessment often challenges researchers and health providers. The selection of a reliable tool is paramount to improving pain assessment and treatment. Subjective instruments, in particular, are crucial in today’s patient-driven health care industry; such tools provide information which medical tests may fail to notice. Research shows that visual analog scales are valid and reliable tools in digital health, which can empower patients and improve health-related quality of life. In the end, patients’ quality of life and well-being are paramount – and patients deserve a pain-free life.
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