ABSTRACT
This chapter is a comprehensive reference manual providing information on the Multidimensional pain scales: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The VAS for pain is itself a derivative of other unidimensional pain scales. There are Numeric Rating Scales for pain, verbal rating scales, and picture pain rating scales. The VAS for pain are readily drawn but are generally pre-printed. For the VAS a 10 cm horizontal line is conventionally used and the appropriate labels should be shown adjacent to each end of the scale. A brief history of the instrument's development is provided, along with a description of item content and administration/scoring procedures. Psychometric properties are reviewed and a critical commentary is provided. Key references are cited and in most cases the actual scale is included, giving the reader easy access to the instrument.
