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 .
The Oswestry Disability Index ( ODI ) has become one of the principal condition-specific outcome measures used in the management of spinal disorders .
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 .
It has now been 20 years since its original publication .
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
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 .
The Oswestry Disability Index ( ODI ) has become one of the principal condition-specific outcome measures used in the management of spinal disorders .
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 .
It has now been 20 years since its original publication .