General Outcome Measurements: Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire

The Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire is a tool used to screen and identify individuals with musculoskeletal pain who are at risk of developing long-term disability. The questionnaire was developed in Sweden and is widely used by healthcare professionals, particularly physiotherapists and chiropractors.

The questionnaire consists of 21 questions that assess physical, psychological, and social factors related to the individual's pain experience. The questions cover areas such as pain intensity, coping strategies, fear-avoidance beliefs, and work-related factors. The individual is asked to rate their agreement with each statement on a scale from 0 to 10.

Based on the individual's responses, a total score is calculated that indicates their risk of developing long-term disability. The higher the score, the greater the risk. Healthcare professionals can then use this information to guide their treatment and management of the individual's musculoskeletal pain.

   The score ranges from 0 to 210, with scores above 90 indicating a higher risk of long-term disability. The scores can be divided into three categories:

• Low risk (0-30): individuals in this category are considered at low risk of developing long-term disability.
• Medium risk (31-50): individuals in this category are considered at moderate risk of developing long-term disability and may benefit from early intervention and targeted treatment.
• High risk (51 and above): individuals in this category are considered at high risk of developing long-term disability and require more intensive intervention and treatment.

It is important to note that the scores on the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire should be used in conjunction with a comprehensive assessment of an individual's musculoskeletal pain. The scores should be used as a guide to help healthcare professionals identify individuals who may benefit from targeted treatment and management strategies.

It is also important to consider the individual's personal circumstances and preferences when interpreting the results of the questionnaire. Healthcare professionals should work collaboratively with the individual to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to their specific needs and goals.

References:

1. Linton, S. J., & Boersma, K. (2003). Early identification of patients at risk of developing a persistent back problem: the predictive validity of the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire. Clinical Journal of Pain, 19(2), 80-86.
2. Gabel, C. P., & Cuesta‐Vargas, A. I. (2013). Psychometric properties of the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire: Short‐form for Spanish‐speaking patients. Musculoskeletal care, 11(4), 229-235.
3. Hill, J. C., Dunn, K. M., Lewis, M., Mullis, R., & Main, C. J. (2008). A primary care back pain screening tool: identifying patient subgroups for initial treatment. Arthritis Care & Research, 59(5), 632-641.
4. Linton, S. J., & Halldén, K. (1998). Can we screen for problematic back pain? A screening questionnaire for predicting outcome in acute and subacute back pain. Clinical Journal of Pain, 14(3), 209-215.