The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a psychometric instrument used in research and clinical studies to measure the intensity of subjective experiences that cannot be objectively quantified using defined biomarkers, such as pain, fatigue, or mood. It typically consists of a 100 mm straight line with descriptive anchors at each end representing the extremes of the sensation (for example, “no pain” at one end and “the most severe pain imaginable” at the other). Respondents indicate their experience by marking a point on the line, and the distance from the lower anchor is measured and recorded as a continuous variable. VAS data can be analyzed using descriptive or inferential statistics, with the ordinal and non-linear properties of the scale requiring careful justification of the statistical methods applied.
- visual analog scale
- measurement
- psychometrics
- survey design
The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a widely used psychometric instrument that offers a simple yet effective method for quantifying the intensity or magnitude of subjective experiences and attitudes. First introduced in the early 20th century and refined over subsequent decades, the VAS has become indispensable for assessing phenomena that lack objective measurement, such as pain intensity [1], emotional states [2], quality of life [3], and patient satisfaction [4]. The tool’s versatility and ease of administration have established it as a standard in both clinical practice and research, facilitating evidence-based decision-making across disciplines as diverse as anesthesiology [5], palliative care [6], market research [7], and educational assessment [8]. This broad adoption reflects the VAS’s unique ability to translate subjective human experience into quantitative data suitable for scientific analysis.
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/encyclopedia5040190
References
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- Åström, M.; Thet Lwin, Z.M.; Teni, F.S.; Burström, K.; Berg, J. Use of the visual analogue scale for health state valuation: A scoping review. Qual. Life Res. 2023, 32, 2719–2729.
- Voutilainen, A.; Pitkäaho, T.; Kvist, T.; Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K. How to ask about patient satisfaction? The visual analogue scale is less vulnerable to confounding factors and ceiling effect than a symmetric Likert scale. J. Adv. Nurs. 2016, 72, 946–957.
- Kindler, C.H.; Harms, C.; Amsler, F.; Ihde-Scholl, T.; Scheidegger, D. The visual analog scale allows effective measurement of pre-operative anxiety and detection of patients’ anesthetic concerns. Anesth. Analg. 2000, 90, 706–712.
- Evin, A.; Huon, J.F.; Thuaut, A.L.; Jego, P.; Nizet, P.; Victorri-Vigneau, C.; Bourdon, M.; Palliative Care Team. Use of brief, simple anxiety assessment tools in palliative care: Yes, we can. A cross-sectional observational study of anxiety visual analog scale and numeric rating scale. BMC Palliat. Care 2025, 24, 173.
- Faasse, K.; Martin, L.R.; Grey, A.; Gamble, G.; Petrie, K.J. Impact of brand or generic labeling on medication effectiveness and side effects. Health Psychol. 2016, 35, 187–190.
- Wang, M.; Liang, S.; Jiang, T. Comparison of case-based and lecture-based learning in dental fluorosis diagnostic ability with visual analog scale assessment. BMC Med. Educ. 2024, 24, 761.