Consistent evidence was found for the predictive value of pain intensity ( more pain-- > worse outcome ) , several work-related parameters ( e.g. , high satisfaction-- > better outcome ) , and coping style ( less active coping-- > better outcome ) .
Other sociodemographic and physical variables consistently lacked predictive value .
No consistent evidence was found for other psychological variables .
CONCLUSIONS It is impossible to define a generic set of predictors of outcome of multidisciplinary rehabilitation and back schools for patients with chronic low back pain because the review ed studies were descriptive or exploratory in nature , and most predictors were only studied once .
Nevertheless , for several predictors , consistent evidence was found .
OBJECTIVE To determine predictors of outcome of multidisciplinary rehabilitation-or back school treatment  for patients with chronic low back pain .
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Numerous review s have been performed to gain insight into which patients benefit from which treatment .
However , no review has systematic ally focused on predictors from multiple domains ( i.e. , sociodemographic , physical , and psychological ) , or on treatment outcome measured as activity limitation or participation restriction .
Publication bias in clinical research
In a retrospective survey , 487 research projects approved by the Central Oxford Research Ethics Committee between 1984 and 1987 , were studied for evidence of publication bias . As of May , 1990 , 285 of the studies had been analysed by the investigators , and 52 % of these had been published . Studies with statistically significant results were more likely to be published than those finding no difference between the study groups ( adjusted odds ratio [ OR ] 2.32 ; 95 % confidence interval [ Cl ] 1.25 - 4.28 ) . Studies with significant results were also more likely to lead to a greater number of publications and presentations and to be published in journals with a high citation impact factor . An increased likelihood of publication was also associated with a high rating by the investigator of the importance of the study results , and with increasing sample size . The tendency towards publication bias was greater with observational and laboratory-based experimental studies ( OR = 3.79 ; 95 % Cl = 1.47 - 9.76 ) than with r and omised clinical trials ( OR = 0.84 ; 95 % Cl = 0.34 - 2.09 ) . We have confirmed the presence of publication bias in a cohort of clinical research studies . These findings suggest that conclusions based only on a review of published data should be interpreted cautiously , especially for observational studies . Improved strategies are needed to identify the results of unpublished as well as published studies
Consistent evidence was found for the predictive value of pain intensity ( more pain-- > worse outcome ) , several work-related parameters ( e.g. , high satisfaction-- > better outcome ) , and coping style ( less active coping-- > better outcome ) .
Other sociodemographic and physical variables consistently lacked predictive value .
No consistent evidence was found for other psychological variables .
CONCLUSIONS It is impossible to define a generic set of predictors of outcome of multidisciplinary rehabilitation and back schools for patients with chronic low back pain because the review ed studies were descriptive or exploratory in nature , and most predictors were only studied once .
Nevertheless , for several predictors , consistent evidence was found .
OBJECTIVE To determine predictors of outcome of multidisciplinary rehabilitation-or back school treatment  for patients with chronic low back pain .
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Numerous review s have been performed to gain insight into which patients benefit from which treatment .
However , no review has systematic ally focused on predictors from multiple domains ( i.e. , sociodemographic , physical , and psychological ) , or on treatment outcome measured as activity limitation or participation restriction .