Abstract
Objective: Develop and test a short-form comprehensive outcome measure for back pain. Design: Prospective longitudinal study of 3 consecutive cohorts of back pain patients. Setting: Anglo-European College of Chiropractic outpatient clinic and several field chiropractic
practices. Method: Domains judged important in the back pain model and responsive to clinical change
were identified from the literature. Items were scored on an 11-point numerical rating
scale. The instrument was psychometrically tested by use of those tests relevant to
an evaluative measure. Results: Seven dimensions of the back pain model were included in the questionnaire. Having
established face validity, the instrument was shown to demonstrate high internal consistency
(Cronbach's alpha = 0.9) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.95). All items
were retained on the basis that they contributed to the overall score (item-corrected
total score correlations) and to the instrument's responsiveness to clinical change
(item change-corrected total change score correlations). The instrument demonstrated
acceptable construct and longitudinal construct validity with established external
measures. The effect size of the instrument was high (1.29) and comparable with established
measures. Conclusion: A reliable, valid, and responsive instrument has been developed for use in back pain
patients. It is practical for use in investigations of both the efficacy and effectiveness
of back pain treatments. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1999;22:503–10)
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Received in revised form:
January 19,
1999
Received:
December 21,
1998
Footnotes
☆Submit reprint requests to: Dr J. E. Bolton, Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, 13–15 Parkwood Rd, Bournemouth BH5 2DF, England; [email protected].
Identification
Copyright
© 1999 JMPT. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
