Psychology RootsOswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire
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About Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire
Scale Name
Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire
Author Details
Jeremy Fairbank
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, developed by Jeremy Fairbank in 1980 and revised in 1986, is a patient-completed tool designed to assess the degree to which back or leg pain restricts functional ability, intended for clinical use. Published in Spine (1980, revised 1986), it comprises ten sections with six-point scales evaluating pain intensity and its impact on daily activities: personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, sex life, social life, and traveling. Patients select the statement per section most reflective of their pain’s effect, with the more severe of two marked items scored. Each section scores 0–5, with the total summed and converted to the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) percentage (0–100), adjusted if sections are incomplete (e.g., out of 45 if one missing).
ODI ranges are: 0–20 (minimal disability), 21–40 (moderate), 41–60 (severe), and >60 (crippling disability). Self-administration takes <5 minutes and scoring ~1 minute; interviewer administration takes ~10 minutes. The questionnaire was validated with chronic back pain patients (mean age ≈ 30–60 years, mixed gender, U.K.-based), correlating with functional impairment measures. It is widely used in orthopedics, physiotherapy, and pain management to assess disability.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the Oswestry questionnaire from Fairbank (1980, revised 1986) or Spine, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (adults 18+ with back or leg pain) that the questionnaire assesses pain-related disability, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 10-section self-report scale in clinical settings, with patients selecting one statement per section, or read aloud if needed, scoring the more severe response if two are marked.
- Estimated completion time is <5 minutes (self) or ~10 minutes (interviewer).
- Ensure a private, supportive environment; provide pain management resources (e.g., referrals) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., large print, oral administration) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The Oswestry questionnaire demonstrates robust psychometric properties (Fairbank, 1980, 1986). Internal consistency is high (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.85–0.90, N not specified). Test-retest reliability is strong (r ≈ 0.90–0.95 over short intervals). Inter-rater reliability is not applicable due to self-report but is consistent with standardized scoring.
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (r ≈ 0.70–0.80) and clinical assessments. Discriminant validity is evidenced by its ability to differentiate disability levels (e.g., >60 vs. 0–20), with ODI effectively reflecting functional impact. Factor analysis supports a unidimensional disability construct, reinforcing construct validity. The ODI reliably assesses back pain disability. Pairing with the McGill Pain Questionnaire or visual analog scales enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
60-Items
Reference
Fairbank, J. (1980). The Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire. Physiotherapy.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Oswestry questionnaire measure?
It measures the functional disability caused by back or leg pain across daily activities.
Who is the target population?
Adults (18+) with back or leg pain in clinical settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately <5 minutes (self) or ~10 minutes (interviewer).
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it assesses disability to guide pain management and rehabilitation.
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