Correlation between a functional performance questionnaire and physical capability tests among patients with low back pain

• Published in: Revista brasileira de fisioterapia (São Carlos (São Paulo, Brazil)) Vol. 13; no. 4; p. 349
• Main Authors: Ocarino, J M, Goncalves, GGP, Vaz, D V, Cabral, AAV, Porto, J V, Silva, M T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: 01.08.2009
• ISSN: 1413-3555

Contextualization: Low back pain is a set of painful manifestations that may cause limitations to several aspects of an individual's life. The model of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) proposed by the World Health Organization provides a structure for understanding the functioning and disability associated with health conditions, thus enabling significant descriptions of an individual's health. The ICF uses the terms "capacity" and "performance" to refer to different aspects of function and to differentiate between patients' functional status. In clinical practice, it is necessary to determine whether there is any association between these different aspects. Objectives: To analyze the correlation between the Roland Morris functional performance questionnaire and physical capacity tests (sit-to-stand and 50-foot walk) among patients with low back pain. Methods: Thirty patients of mean age 43.16 years, with a diagnosis of low back pain, were assessed using the Roland Morris questionnaire and the capacity tests. Results: Analysis using Pearson's correlation showed a significant but weak correlation between the Roland Morris score and the sit-to-stand test (r=0.38; p=0.0388). No significant correlation was observed between the questionnaire score and the 50-foot walk test (r=0.24; p=0.1862). Conclusion: The results indicate the need to use instruments that evaluate both aspects of function (capacity and performance) among patients with low back pain, so that a more complete functional profile of such individuals can be defined.