What is Verbal descriptor scale (VDS) - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: September 17, 2019.

The Verbal Descriptor Scale (VDS) is comprised of a series of descriptive phrases that refer to different levels of pain severity or intensity.
Patients select the phrase that best describes their current pain. This tool is best suited for use with more articulate patients, due to the need for patients to understand and respond to the scale in verbal terms.
The VDS is the scale of choice for assessing pain intensity among older adults, including those with mild to moderate levels of cognitive impairment.

See also Verbal descriptor scale (pain thermometer) and Review of pain intensity scales.

Iowa Geriatric Education Center. Verbal descriptor scale. Internet. Accessed December 14, 2009.

To cite

Verbal descriptor scale (VDS). IAHPC Pallipedia. https://pallipedia.org/verbal-descriptor-scale-vds. Accessed