Visual analogue scale

The visual analogue scale (VAS ) is a scale for measuring mainly of subjective preferences.

It is frequently used in pain research and pain management. Mostly it is a line whose endpoints represent extreme conditions, such as " no pain " and " unbearable pain ". The respondent marked his subjective perception by a vertical line on the line. The specified value is then quantified by the interviewer as a percentage or by a defined scale, usually from 0 to 10. However, the Respondents do not see the discrete scales.

History

For the first time a visual analogue scale was published ( as a graphic rating scale ) in 1921 by Hayes & Patterson as a new method for the evaluation of workers by their supervisors, and two years later was made by Freyd a more detailed listing of the advantages and disadvantages of visual analogue scales.