The relations between visual analogue scale (VAS) and assessment chart of low back pain according to Japanese Orthopaedic Association (lumbar JOA)

Abstract

The relations between VAS and lumbar JOA were examined. 54 outpatients complaining of acute low back pain were selected at randam. VAS, lumbar JOA, age, sex, and occupation were picked up and studied. Results: Regarding the item of low back pain in lumbar JOA, the kinds of pain were distributed from 1 to 8 degrees in the VAS chart. Correlation between VAS and total point 29 in lumbar JOA was good (r=0.51). But the assessment of the degree of pain was not sufficient with the lumbar JOA alone. Namely, VAS for the direct assessment of low back pain is very useful as another view point of lumbar JOA.