Spine Outcome Measurements: Roland Morris Lower Back Pain Disability Questionnaire

The Roland Morris Lower Back Pain Disability Questionnaire is a self-administered questionnaire that measures the level of functional disability experienced by a person with lower back pain. The questionnaire consists of 24 yes/no items that ask about the impact of back pain on various activities, such as walking, standing, and sleeping. It was developed to be a shorter alternative to the Oswestry Disability Index.

The Roland Morris questionnaire is typically used in research studies and clinical practice to assess the effectiveness of treatments for lower back pain, such as physical therapy or medication. It can be used in adults with lower back pain due to any cause, including acute and chronic conditions. The questionnaire is considered to be reliable and valid for measuring the functional status of individuals with lower back pain, and it is easy to administer and score. It takes about 5 minutes to complete, and the score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating greater disability.

The Roland Morris Lower Back Pain Disability Questionnaire is scored by counting the number of "yes" responses to the 24 items on the questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating greater disability.

The interpretation of the results can vary depending on the context in which the questionnaire is used. In general, a higher score indicates greater disability and a lower score indicates less disability. However, what constitutes a "normal" score can depend on factors such as the severity and duration of the back pain, the age and overall health of the patient, and the specific goals of treatment.

In research studies, the Roland Morris questionnaire is often used to measure the change in disability over time or between groups, rather than to identify a specific threshold for "normal" scores. In clinical practice, the interpretation of the results may be guided by the patient's individual goals and the clinician's judgment about the appropriate level of function for the patient's age and health status.

References:

1. Roland M, Morris R. A study of the natural history of low back pain. Part I: Development of a reliable and sensitive measure of disability in low back pain. Spine. 1983;8(2):141-144. doi:10.1097/00007632-198303000-00004
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3. Ogon M, Krismer M, Söllner W, Kantner-Rumplmair W, Lampe A. Chronic low back pain measurement with visual analogue scales in different settings. Pain. 1996;64(3):425-428. doi:10.1016/0304-3959(95)00198-7
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