These data provide both validation and st and ards for other users and indicate the power of the instrument for detecting change in sample population s. CONCLUSIONS The  ODI  remains a valid and vigorous measure and has been a worthwhile outcome measure .
The behavior of the instrument is incompletely understood , particularly in sensitivity to real change
STUDY DESIGN The Oswestry Disability Index ( ODI ) has become one of the principal condition-specific outcome measures used in the management of spinal disorders .
This review is based on publications using the ODI identified from the authors ' personal data bases , the Science Citation Index , and h and search es of Spine and current textbooks of spinal disorders .
OBJECTIVES To review the versions of this instrument , document methods by which it has been vali date d , collate data from scores found in normal and back pain population s , provide curves for power calculations in studies using the ODI , and maintain the ODI as a gold st and ard outcome measure .
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA It has now been 20 years since its original publication .
More than 200 citations exist in the Science Citation Index .
Efficiency and Costs of Medical Exercise Therapy, Conventional Physiotherapy, and Self‐Exercise in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pragmatic, Randomized, Single‐Blinded, Controlled Trial With 1‐Year Follow‐Up
Study Design . A multicenter , r and omized , single‐blinded controlled trial with 1‐year follow‐up . Objectives . To evaluate the efficiency of progressively grade d medical exercise therapy , conventional physiotherapy , and self‐exercise by walking in patients with chronic low back pain . Summary and Background Data . Varieties of medical exercise therapy and conventional physiotherapy are considered to reduce symptoms , improve function , and decrease sickness absence , but this opinion is controversial . Methods . Patients with chronic low back pain or radicular pain sick‐listed for more than 8 weeks and less than 52 weeks ( Sickness Certificate II ) were included . The treatment lasted 3 months ( 36 treatments ) . Pain intensity , functional ability , patient satisfaction , return to work , number of days on sick leave , and costs were recorded . Results . Of the 208 patients included in this study , 71 were r and omly assigned to medical exercise therapy , 67 to conventional physiotherapy , and 70 to self‐exercise . Thirty‐three ( 15.8 % ) patients dropped out during the treatment period . No difference was observed between the medical exercise therapy and conventional physiotherapy groups , but both were significantly better than self‐exercise  group . Patient satisfaction was highest for medical exercise therapy . Return to work rates were equal for all 3 intervention groups at assessment 15 months after therapy was started , with 123 patients were back to work . In terms of costs for days on sick leave , the medical exercise therapy group saved 906,732 Norwegian Kroner ( NOK ) ( $ 122,531.00 ) , and the conventional physiotherapy group saved NOK 1,882,560 ( $ 254,200.00 ) , compared with the self‐exercise group . Conclusions . The efficiency of medical exercise therapy and conventional physiotherapy is shown . Leaving patients with chronic low back pain untampered poses a risk of worsening the disability , result ing in longer periods of sick leave
These data provide both validation and st and ards for other users and indicate the power of the instrument for detecting change in sample population s. CONCLUSIONS The  ODI  remains a valid and vigorous measure and has been a worthwhile outcome measure .
The behavior of the instrument is incompletely understood , particularly in sensitivity to real change
STUDY DESIGN The Oswestry Disability Index ( ODI ) has become one of the principal condition-specific outcome measures used in the management of spinal disorders .
This review is based on publications using the ODI identified from the authors ' personal data bases , the Science Citation Index , and h and search es of Spine and current textbooks of spinal disorders .
OBJECTIVES To review the versions of this instrument , document methods by which it has been vali date d , collate data from scores found in normal and back pain population s , provide curves for power calculations in studies using the ODI , and maintain the ODI as a gold st and ard outcome measure .
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA It has now been 20 years since its original publication .
More than 200 citations exist in the Science Citation Index .