This document provides information about the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) which is used to measure pain, especially in children. It discusses that VAS is a straight line with descriptions of "no pain" on one end and "worst imaginable pain" on the other. Patients indicate their pain level by marking on the line. The distance from the left end is measured to determine the intensity of pain. VAS has benefits such as being sensitive to changes in pain levels, taking little time to complete, and not requiring training. However, it is subjective and cannot be used verbally or over the phone.

3. •Guided by –
Dr.Bharat Bhushan Sir
Dr.Khushboo Barjatiya Ma’am
Dr.Binti Chand Ma’am
Dr.Abhilasha M.Tripathi Ma’am
Dr. Hariom Meena Sir
Submitted by-
Rhea Mary John
(2017-2018) batch
Roll no. 57

4. CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• PURPOSE
• STRUCTURE AND ORIENTATION OF VAS
• INTERPRETATION
• SCORING
• MERITS
• DEMERITS
• Bibliography

5. INTRODUCTION
• It is a measurement instrument that tries
to measure the characteristic or attitude
that can not be easily measured.
• It may appear difficult to measure the
degree of pain in a young because of their
cognitive and language development .

6. Purpose
• It is one of the most reliable and valid
measurement tool for self report of pain in
children .
• It has been used as a measure of pain
intensity that can be widely be used in
several age groups pertaining to a large
population.

7. STRUCTUREAND ORIENTATIONOF VAS
• VAS is a straight line of fixed length usually 100mm . Each
describing as from no pain as starting point to worst
imaginable pain as the end mark.
1. Numerical rating scales -Scales with middle point
,graduations with numbers.

8. • Curvilinear analogue scales- Meter shaped scales

9. • Faces representative scale

10. • Box scales – Consisting of circles equidistant from each other
one of which the subject has to mark .

11. SCORING AND INTERPRETATION
• The patient indicates the degree of pain as perceived by them
by a mark on the line.
• The length of the line from the left hand margin to the mark
determines the intensity of pain .

12. • According to the score interpreted it classified as –
NO PAIN
MILD
MODERATE
SEVERE
WORST PAIN IMAGINABLE

13. MERITS AND DEMERITS OF VAS
Merits
1. Sensitive to changes than are simple
descriptive ordinary scales in which symptoms
are rated.
2. These scales are more valuable when looking at
changes within individuals.
3. The VAS takes not more than 2 minutes hence
saves time.
4. No training is required to use the scale or
interpret the score.

14. 5. Minimal translation difficulties have led to
number of cross culture adaptations.
_________________________________________
Demerits
1. The assessment is clearly and highly subjective.
2. This is less valuable for comparing across a
group of individuals at one point.
3. It is administered as a pen paper measures a
result, it cannot be administered verbally or on
phone.

15. Bibliography –
•Pediatric dentistry infancy through
adolescence –James Nowak
•Pediatric dentistry-Shobha Tandon