Scaling of the revised Oswestry low back pain questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the measurement properties of the Revised Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (RODQ) by using rating scale analyses.


METHODS
Calibration of item responses by using a data set.


METHODS
Four outpatient therapy clinics in the northeastern United States.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 95 community-dwelling adults exhibiting mild to severe low back pain-related disability (LBP-D).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The RODQ.


RESULTS
Several Rasch analyses were performed, with 1 item deleted and 2 response categories collapsed, creating a better test without increased error. A schema for item administration and evaluation was also developed.


CONCLUSIONS
By using the abbreviated scale, suggested item order, and predicted responses, abbreviated versions of the instrument can be applied to measure LBP-D more efficiently.
Page
Stephen J
SJ
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 202 Goodman Drive, Suite 275, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0840, USA.
Shawaryn
Marla A
MA
Cernich
Alison N
AN
Linacre
John M
JM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015982:Bias; D002138:Calibration; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009511:New England; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011594:Psychometrics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*