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 .
Validity of a brief outpatient functional assessment measure.
Aspects of validity are investigated with a brief functional assessment measure among out patients undergoing rehabilitation for musculoskeletal problems . The Medical Rehabilitation Follow Along measure ( MRFA ) currently has screening , musculoskeletal , neurologic , and multiple sclerosis forms . In this study , the 31-item musculoskeletal form of the MRFA is compared with and contrasted to a measure of general health status , the Medical Outcomes Trust SF-36 . Content , construct , and criterion validity are addressed using scale scores before ( n = 94 ) and after ( n = 48 ) outpatient rehabilitation .  Scale scores are compared with therapists ' ratings of improvement . The results provide support for the validity of inferences made from scale scores of the MRFA for persons with musculoskeletal problems . Applications of the MRFA , including screening , monitoring , and outcome assessment are discussed for clinical management , measuring treatment effectiveness , and program evaluation
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 .