Predicting treatment failure in the subacute injury phase using the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire: an observational prospective study in a workers' compensation system.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of the present study was to examine if patient scores on a brief biopsychosocial screening questionnaire--the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ)--could predict clinical discharge status ("fit" vs "not fit" for return to work) after a standardized 6-week physical therapy-based work conditioning program.

METHODS

The OMPQ was administered to a derivation sample of 200 injured workers with soft tissue injuries before beginning treatment. A clinical cutoff score of 147 was subsequently tested in a second validation sample of 211 injured workers.

RESULTS

The OMPQ was able to correctly predict the discharge status of 85% of claimants.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the OMPQ can facilitate clinical decision-making through early identification of individuals likely to fail a unidisciplinary physical therapy program and who may benefit from more complete biopsychosocial treatment.