Faculty Collaboration Database

Validity, reliability, and responsiveness of a digital version of the visual analog scale. J Hand Ther 2011;24(4):356-63; quiz 364

Date

08/09/2011

Pubmed ID

21820864

DOI

10.1016/j.jht.2011.06.003

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-80055012166 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   50 Citations

Abstract

UNLABELLED: The design used in this study was a prospective cohort. Pain intensity levels recorded by the digital version of the visual analog scale (VAS-D) are easy to both score and share with other health care professionals. The purpose of the study was to examine the test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and responsiveness of the VAS-D. Thirty-three people with upper extremity injuries reported pain intensity levels before and after performing four maximal grip contractions (pre- and postgripping). Our version of the VAS-D had high test-retest reliability (r=0.96) and good concurrent validity (r=0.84-0.97) with both the paper version of the VAS (VAS-P) and the verbal numerical rating scale (NRS-V). Responsiveness of the VAS-D was indicated by a significant increase in pain levels from pre- to postgripping. Similar responsiveness to that of the VAS-P and NRS-V was indicated by similar effect size coefficients and analysis of variance of pain change scores. In conclusion, the VAS-D is a reliable, valid, and responsive measure of pain intensity for people with upper extremity injuries. However, differences in accuracy (resolution) among the VAS-D, VAS-P, or NRS-V may render the three pain scales not fully compatible.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not applicable.

Author List

Sindhu BS, Shechtman O, Tuckey L

Author

Bhagwant Sindhu BS,MS,PhD Assistant Professor in the Occupational Science & Technology department at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Analysis of Variance
Arm Injuries
Cohort Studies
Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted
Disability Evaluation
Female
Hand Strength
Humans
Injury Severity Score
Male
Middle Aged
Musculoskeletal Pain
Pain Measurement
Prospective Studies
Reproducibility of Results