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Clinical applications of visual analogue scales: a critical review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Heather M. McCormack ,
David J. de L. Horne  and
Simon Sheather
Heather M. McCormack*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne and Statistical Consulting Centre, University of Melbourne, Australia
David J. de L. Horne
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne and Statistical Consulting Centre, University of Melbourne, Australia
Simon Sheather
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne and Statistical Consulting Centre, University of Melbourne, Australia
*
1 Address for correspondence: Dr Heather M. McCormack, Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3052.
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Synopsis

Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) provide a simple technique for measuring subjective experience. They have been established as valid and reliable in a range of clinical and research applications, although there is also evidence of increased error and decreased sensitivity when used some subject groups. Decisions concerned with the choice of scoring interval, experimental design, and statistical analysis for VAS have in some instances been based on convention, assumption and convenience, highlighting the need for more comprehensive assessment of individual scales if this versatile and sensitive measurement technique is to be used to full advantage.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , November 1988 , pp. 1007 - 1019
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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