Measuring the Functional Status of Patients With Low Back Pain

In the absence of a gold standard, direct comparisons of evaluative functional status questionnaires in a single patient group are needed through direct comparisons, comparative validity and responsiveness can be assessed.

Abstract

In the absence of a gold standard, direct comparisons of evaluative functional status questionnaires in a single patient group are needed. Through direct comparisons, comparative validity and responsiveness can be assessed. Functional status measures are not currently used in many settings in which they would be valuable. It is important to encourage their wider use in clinical trials. Additional research is needed to compare and improve the existing questionnaires.