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 .
Centralization of low back pain and perceived functional outcome.
McKenzie 's methods for evaluating and treating low back pain are used often but studied little . When using the McKenzie system , it is important to observe signs of symptom movement to a central location ( central ization ) . This study investigated the relationships between central ization of low back pain and /or radiculopathy and the subjects ' rating of functional outcome . Thirty-six subjects with low back pain volunteered to participate and were evaluated and treated by six research ers . Subjects were tested initially and again 14 days after initiation of treatment using the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Question naire and the Performance Assessment and Capacity Testing Spinal Function Sort ( SFS ) . Symptoms were monitored for the occurrence of " complete central ization . " Of the 36 subjects , 25 showed complete central ization within 14 days . The SFS score changes were significantly higher for subjects who completely central ized ( p = 0.015 ) . The results supported the hypothesis that subjects who central ize will have improved functional outcome and , thus , quality of life . However , shorter time to occurrence of complete central ization does not necessarily correlate with improved outcome
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 .