1987 Volvo award in clinical sciences. The perception of back pain and the role of psychophysical tests of lifting capacity.

In order to study the predictive value of pre-employment screening tests, a volunteer population of 1,741 men and 1,150 women was questioned about their experience of low-back pain (LBP) and their perception of physical exertion at work. They undertook a battery of tests, including psychophysical assessments of lifting capacity, and they were followed up by postal questionnaire after 1 year. The response rate was 88.7%. The psychophysical tests have proved to be simple and inexpensive to administer; in good hands, they are repeatable. Although psychophysical lifting capacity was less in those with previous LBP, the psychophysical strength tests were poor predictors of future LBP. But when the previous history of LBP was known, then the test results significantly enhanced the prediction.