Authors: C Sarasqueta O Gabaldon I Iza F Béland PM Paz
Publish Date: 2005/02/17
Volume: 14, Issue: 6, Pages: 586-594
Abstract
Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate validity reliability responsiveness and practicality of the NASSAAOS North American Spine Society—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons questionnaire in patients with low back pain Methods The sample included 70 patients with herniated disk stenosis chronic low back pain of unknown etiology or acute low back pain They were assessed twice before treatment test–retest and a third measure six months to one year afterwards Results The mean time of administration was 24 and 20 min for the test and posttreatment evaluation respectively Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was between 078 and 092 on the baseline test and 090 or higher on the posttreatment evaluation The test–retest reproducibility was 095 091–098 for ‘neurological symptoms’ 082 063–091 for ‘pain/disability’ and 063 025–082 for ‘expectations’ The associations with other measures and clinical criteria were generally moderate to high and in the expected direction The effect size for ‘pain/disability’ in combination with ‘neurological symptoms’ was 202 for patients who improved versus an effect of −009 in patients who were stable between test and retest the area under the curve on this joint scale was 081 069–090 Conclusions The instrument is valid sensitive to clinical changes and reliable for comparisons between groups but further study is needed for its application in monitoring individual patients
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