Visual Analog Scales

George W. Torrance, David Feeny and William Furlong
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George W. Torrance: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; the Centre for Evaluation of Medicines, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Health Utilities Inc., Canada
William Furlong: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, Health Utilities Inc., Canada

Medical Decision Making, 2001, vol. 21, issue 4, 329-334

Abstract: Visual analog scales (VASs) have long been used as a method of measuring preferences for health outcomes. They are easy and inexpensive to implement, can be administered quickly, and lend themselves to self-completion. Over time, however, disturbing questions have emerged concerning the validity of the VAS approach. This article reviews briefly the history, theory, practice, problems, and advantages of VASs; presents some suggestions to improve the validity of VASs; and recommends a limited but useful role for VASs in the process of measuring preferences for health states.

Keywords: visual analog scale; rating scale; standard gamble; utility; preference (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:medema:v:21:y:2001:i:4:p:329-334

DOI: 10.1177/0272989X0102100408

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