Low back pain: reliability of a set of pain measurement tools.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the reliability and internal consistency of a set of low back pain (LBP)-related measurement tools and to determine whether they are appropriate for use in a large-scale, community-based sample in Israel.

DESIGN

Test-retest reliability study, with an interval of 2 to 14 days between test and retest.

SETTING

Physiotherapy clinics.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred fifty-one patients with LBP.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Modified Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (MRMQ); a simple verbal pain severity scale; and modified pain symptoms frequency and bothersomeness indices. Three measures of variables with potential association with LBP were also used: a Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), work satisfaction scale, and the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire (BPAQ).

RESULTS

Test-retest reliability was high for the MRMQ, pain symptom indices, work index of the FABQ, and occupational activity index of the BPAQ; the internal consistency of the MRMQ and FABQ work index were also high (intraclass correlation coefficient >or= .89; alpha = .89).

CONCLUSIONS

Most measurement tools are reliable and suitable for community LBP studies in Israel.