Assessing repeatability and validity of a visual analogue scale questionnaire for use in assessing pain and lameness in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire that is repeatable and valid for use in assessing pain and lameness in dogs.


METHODS
48 client-owned dogs with mild to moderate lameness.


METHODS
The dogs were from 3 studies conducted during a 3-year period. Of the 48 dogs, 19 were used in repeatability assessment, 48 were used in principal component analysis, and 44 were used in model selection procedures and validity testing. A test-retest measure of repeatability was conducted on dogs with a change of < 10% in vertical peak force. A force platform was used as the criterion-referenced standard for detecting lameness. Principal component analysis was used to describe dimensionality of the data. Repeatable questions were used as explanatory variables in multiple regression models to predict force plate measurements. Peak vertical, craniocaudal, and associated impulses were the forces used to quantify lameness. The regression models were used to test the criterion validity of the questionnaire.


RESULTS
19 of 39 questions were found to be repeatable on the basis of a Spearman rank-correlation cut point of > 0.6. Model selection procedures resulted in 3 overlapping subsets of questions that were considered valid representations of the forces measured (vertical peak, vertical impulse, and propulsion peak). Each reduced model fit the data as well as the full model.


CONCLUSIONS
The VAS questionnaire was repeatable and valid for use in assessing the degree of mild to moderate lameness in dogs.
Hudson
Jonathan T
JT
Departments of Veterinary Anatomy and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Slater
Margaret R
MR
Taylor
Lathrop
L
Scott
H Morgan
HM
Kerwin
Sharon C
SC
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000662:veterinary*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires