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 .
Incorporation of cognitive-behavioral treatment into the medical care of chronic low back patients: a controlled randomized study in German pain treatment centers.
Cognitive behavioral treatment has been incorporated into st and ard medical treatment procedures in German pain centers . Acceptance of the treatment by patients and outcome in terms of pain , coping , and disability was investigated . Components of the psychological treatment are education , relaxation and imagery , modifying thoughts and feelings , enhancement of pleasant activities , and training of good postural habits . The program was conducted in a group setting in accordance with a treatment manual and consists of 12 weekly 2.5-h sessions . A two-factor experiment with repeated measures on one factor was applied . Ninety-four consecutive patients with low-back pain were r and omly assigned to an experimental group having a combined medical and cognitive-behavioral treatment , or to a control group with medical treatment only . Assessment s were taken pre-treatment , post-treatment , and --in the treated group only -- at a 6-months follow-up . At each assessment , patients kept a pain diary over a period of 4 weeks , and filled in self-report question naires . The sample consisted of 36 experimental and 40 control subjects at post-treatment . Experimental subjects reported less pain , better control over pain , more pleasurable activities and feelings , less avoidance and less catastrophizing . In addition , disability was reduced in terms of social roles , physical functions and mental performance . The results were maintained at follow-up . Patients who only received medical treatment showed little improvement . Data indicate that the program meets the needs of the patients and should be continued
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 .