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.
Margison
Douglas A
DA
Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, Saint John, NB, Canada. margisod@whscc.nb.ca
French
Douglas J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009509:New Brunswick; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*