An evaluation of length and end-phrase of visual analogue scales in dental pain

Abstract

Visual analogue scales (VAS) of different lengths (5, 10, 15 and 20 cm) and with different end-phrases (troublesome, miserable, intense, unbearable and worst pain imaginable) were used to record pain in 50 male and 50 female patients with pulpitis or pericoronitis. All 100 patients successfully completed the questionnaire. High correlation was found between the scores on all the scales. Scales of length 10 or 15 cm had the smallest measurement error. The scale with the end-phrase 'worst pain imaginable' was found to be the best choice for comparing present pain or worst pain between different groups. Using this scale no significant difference was found between the scores of males and females or between those of patients with pulpitis and pericoronitis. This study suggests the use of 10 cm visual analogue scales with the end-phrase 'worst pain imaginable' as being the most suitable for measuring dental pain.

Perception of pain as a result of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances

“…This method is widely used for measuring pain and has been described by P. A. SCHEURER ET AL. other investigators as being sensitive and reliable and having certain advantages over verbal scales (Huskisson, 1974;Seymour et al, 1985). Moreover, even small children manage it very well (Huskisson, 1974;Seymour et aI., 1985).…”

The effectiveness of out-of-hours dental services: I. pain relief and oral health outcome

“…25 Ultimately the validity of transition questions hinges on how accurately people can recall their level of dental pain or health status at some point in the past, and this may be distorted by a number of factors. 28 Lastly there is evidence about the validity of using VAS for measuring dental pain 30,31 and their suitability for measuring change in acute pain states has been demonstrated in other contexts, 32 but the use of visual analogue scales remains controversial. From this study's data, an assurance of reasonable validity is that the pain VAS scores were highly correlated with the Present Pain Intensity score (ordinal scale 0 -5) of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (Spearman's ρ = 0.79; p< 0.001, for n = 567 subjects), which is a widely used pain score.…”

Evolução psicossomática e clínica de pacientes com estenose do canal lombar operados com sistema interespinhoso

“…Note that although this last detail is the most difficult to obtain [55][56][57] , for a correct characterization of the latter, both symptoms should be evaluated together. For an appropriate quantification of pain reported by our patients, we used the VAS, which has widespread use and is recommended for this type of study, [62][63][64] associated with a topographical representation of location made by the patients themselves, complementing its desirable psychological characteristics. 65,66 As is known, this aspect has an especially important role in situations of chronic pain.…”