Responsiveness to change of physical tests used in patients with back pain

Physical tests are commonly used by physical therapists to customize treatment to the needs of individual patients with back pain, as well as to record functional changes, with the implicit understanding that they are sensitive to change and reflect physical aspects of importance to the patients.

In a study recently published in Physical Therapy, researchers at University of Bergen, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen University College and Uni Health, Bergen have explored the responsiveness of 10 physical tests and 2 self-reported questionnaires used to measure functioning in patients with back pain in order to illuminate the significance of changes in scores.

Recommended methods were used to elucidate and compare responsiveness in the 10 physical tests after 3 ½ week of multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation. The study found that tests of spinal mobility and dynamic mobility of the trunk in activities best reflected functional change as perceived and reported by the patients.

Strand LI, Anderson B, Lygren H, Skouen JS, Ostelo R. Magnussen LH. Responsiveness of 10 physical tests used for patients with back pain. Phys Ther 2011;91:404-15.

Read more: 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21273629