Articles: low-back-pain.
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J Orthop Sports Phys Ther · Jun 2003
ReviewGuide to outcomes measurement for patients with low back pain syndromes.
The Guide for Physical Therapist Practice states that the physical therapist determines the expected outcomes for each intervention and engages in outcomes data collection and analysis. Outcomes tracking provides a systematic way for therapists to monitor treatment effectiveness and efficiency. A familiarity with outcome measures for the patient with low back pain is indispensable for therapists in the outpatient orthopaedic setting, where patients with lumbar pain often comprise the majority of the caseload. ⋯ The reliability, validity, sensitivity to change, and utility of common outcome measures are discussed. An overview of generic, disease-specific, and patient-specific tools is provided with specific commentary on the use of the SF-36, SF-12, Oswestry Questionnaire, Roland-Morris Questionnaire, and patient-specific tools. Practical guidelines for utilizing outcome measures in clinical practice and the overall benefits of outcomes tracking are highlighted.
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Clinical Trial
Physical impairment index: reliability, validity, and responsiveness in patients with acute low back pain.
Cohort study of patients with acute low back pain undergoing physical therapy. ⋯ The Physical Impairment Index appears to be a reliable and valid measure of physical impairment for patients with acute low back pain and may be useful as an adjunct outcome measure for studies involving these patients. Further research on patients with chronic pain is needed before it can be advocated for outcomes research with this population.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Jun 2003
Greek versions of the Oswestry and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaires.
Disability questionnaires are increasingly used for clinical assessment, outcome measurement of treatment and research methodology of low back pain. Their use in different countries and cultural groups must follow certain guidelines for translation and cross-cultural adaptation. The translation of such an instrument must be tested for its reliability and validity to be applied and to allow comparability of data. ⋯ Concurrent validity was assessed using a six-point pain scale as a criterion. The correlation of both scales was significant. The Greek translation of these disability questionnaires provided reliable and valid instruments for the evaluation of Greek-speaking patients with low back pain.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Jun 2003
Patient satisfaction, characteristics, radiology, and complications associated with attending a specialized government-funded multidisciplinary spinal pain unit.
To prospectively document the satisfaction of a random sample of patients attending a specialized multidisciplinary spinal pain unit in the Australian public health care system and to collect associated data on patient characteristics, radiological findings, treatment modalities used, and any significant complications. Design and setting Spinal pain syndrome patients attended the specialized Multidisciplinary Spinal Pain Unit at Townsville General Hospital and the Kirwan Community Health Centre (Queensland, Australia) for diagnosis and management (ie, chiropractic spinal manipulation, medication, or needle acupuncture). A patient satisfaction questionnaire was sent to a random sample of patients in this Queensland Government funded service that was approved by the health authority's Ethics Committee. ⋯ A public hospital or community health center based specialized spinal pain syndrome unit is useful for referring clinicians who wish to obtain a further opinion for challenging spinal pain syndrome patients in the lower socioeconomic group that cannot afford private health care.