Mount Carmel Health Partners Clinical Guidelines Low Back Pain | Page 3

Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire
The Oswestry Disability Index ( also known as the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire ) is an extremely important tool that researchers and disability evaluators use to measure a patient ' s permanent functional disability . The test is considered the ‘ gold standard ’ of low back functional outcome tools .
Scoring instructions :
For each section the total possible score is 5 : if the first statement is marked the section score = 0 ; if the last statement is marked , it = 5 . If all 10 sections are completed the score is calculated as follows :
Example : 16 ( total scored ) 50 ( total possible score ) x 100 = 32 %
If one section is missed or not applicable the score is calculated :
16 ( total scored ) 45 ( total possible score ) x 100 = 35.5 %
Minimum detectable change ( 90 % confidence ): 10 % points ( change of less than this may be attributable to error in the measurement )
Interpretation of scores :
0 % to 20 %: minimal disability : The patient can cope with most living activities . Usually no treatment is indicated apart from advice on lifting sitting and exercise .
21 % -40 %: moderate disability : The patient experiences more pain and difficulty with sitting , lifting and standing . Travel and social life are more difficult and they may be disabled from work . Personal care , sexual activity and sleeping are not grossly affected and the patient can usually be managed by conservative means .
41 % -60 %: severe disability : Pain remains the main problem in this group but activities of daily living are affected . These patients require a detailed investigation .
61 % -80 %: crippled : Back pain impinges on all aspects of the patient ' s life . Positive intervention is required .
81 % -100 %: These patients are either bed-bound or exaggerating their symptoms .
Sources : Fairbank JCT & Pynsent , PB ( 2000 ) The Oswestry Disability Index . Spine , 25 ( 22 ): 2940-2953 .
Davidson M & Keating J ( 2001 ) A comparison of five low back disability questionnaires : reliability and responsiveness . Physical Therapy 2002 ; 82:8-24 .
Retrieved from : http :// www . rehab . msu . edu /_ files /_ docs / oswestry _ low _ back _ disability . pdf
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