Quantification of lumbar function: Part 6: The use of psychological measures in guiding physical functional restoration

Robert J. Gatchel, Tom G. Mayer, Patricia Capra, Pamela Diamond, Jim Barnett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present article reviews the use of psychologic measures in guiding a functional restoration treatment program with chronic low-back pain patients. The results of the first 134 consecutive patients completing this program are reviewed. These results demonstrate that various psychologic measures paralleled improvement in physical function. Of particular interest is the finding that various Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scales that were initially clinically elevated showed a significant decrease to nonelevated levels after treatment. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed, along with the important observation that one should avoid assuming that a single psychologic test can reliably be used as the sole predictor variable in clinical cases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)36-42
Number of pages7
JournalSpine
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1986

Keywords

  • Chronic back pain
  • Functional capacity measures
  • Psychologic assessment

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