Reliability and validity of the visual analogue scale for disability in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Abstract

To determine the reliability and concurrent validity of a visual analogue scale (VAS) for disability as a single-item instrument measuring disability in chronic pain patients was the objective of the study. For the reliability study a test-retest design and for the validity study a cross-sectional design was used. A general rehabilitation centre and a university rehabilitation centre was the setting for the study. The study population consisted of patients over 18 years of age, suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain; 52 patients in the reliability study, 344 patients in the validity study. Main outcome measures were as follows. Reliability study: Spearman's correlation coefficients (rho values) of the test and retest data of the VAS for disability; validity study: rho values of the VAS disability scores with the scores on four domains of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and VAS pain scores, and with Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores in chronic low back pain patients. Results were as follows: in the reliability study rho values varied from 0.60 to 0.77; and in the validity study rho values of VAS disability scores with SF-36 domain scores varied from 0.16 to 0.51, with Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores from 0.38 to 0.43 and with VAS pain scores from 0.76 to 0.84. The conclusion of the study was that the reliability of the VAS for disability is moderate to good. Because of a weak correlation with other disability instruments and a strong correlation with the VAS for pain, however, its validity is questionable.

Interrater Reliability of Four Sensory Measures in People with Multiple Sclerosis

“…When searching the available literature, we did not find any studies using the VAS to test sensation in people with MS. However, the VAS is commonly used in clinical practice, 22,[39][40][41] has the advantage of being easy to administer, and considers the patient's report of sensory problems. Patient-reported outcome measures are increasingly important in evaluating interventions in health-related quality of life in people with MS, 42 and the VAS is a potentially useful tool in evaluating patient-reported sensation in people with MS. Based on the present data, we suggest that question 1, relating to feeling numbness in the hands and feet, and question 3, relating to having pins and needles, tingling, or burning sensation in the hands and feet, may be useful, but this requires confirmation in further studies.…”

“…These scales have been used widely to assess variations in intensity of musculoskeletal pain and have moderateto-good reliability (Spearman's rank correlation values varied from 0.60 to 0.77). 22 In the present study, we included a variety of sensory stimuli (for details see Supplementary Table 1, which is published in the online version of this article at ijmsc.org). These represent the domains often reported by patients in clinical practice.…”

A Multimodal Treatment Approach using Spinal Decompression via SpineMED, Flexion-Distraction Mobilization of the Cervical Spine, and Cervical Stabilization Exercises for the Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy

“…Numerical pain intensity on a typical day secondary to neck pain was rated using a 10-point VAS with a score of 0 (no neck pain during a typical day) to 10 (worst possible neck pain during a typical day). VAS has a testretest reliability of 0.60 to 0.70 40) and a concurrent validity of 0.76 to 0.84 40) . Reduced ability to manage activities in everyday life secondary to neck pain was estimated using the 50-point NDI (0 being no overall neck pain and 50 being the most severe neck pain) 3 7 ) .…”

To Compare the Effects of Internal Rotation Mobilization of Hip With Conventional Physiotherapy Treatment in Patients With Low Back Pain: Randomized Clinical Trail

“…The patient marked on the line the point that they felt represents their perception of their current state. The VAS score was determined by measuring the distance from the left hand end of the line to the point that the subject marks [20]. Oswestry disability index : There were 10 sections each one 6 statements of which the subjects had to choose one statement.…”

“…End range of motion is defined as the point in which the lower shank could no longer be moved without pelvic rotation. Passive range of motion was calculated averaged across the three trials [17,20]. Procedure: All patients underwent an initial baseline assessment of VAS, ODI and Hip passive internal rotation range of motion.…”