Article

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the validity over time of the fingertip-to-floor test
(FTF) and the straight leg raising test (SLR) using the Roland Morris Disability
Questionnaire (RMDQ) and correlation coefficient (r), and to assess the
predictive value of factors related to the change in RMDQ over 12 months using
multivariate regression analysis. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: Outpatient
physical therapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects (N=65) with acute/subacute low
back pain (</=13 wk of symptoms). Thirty-eight (58%) had radicular pain as
determined by the slump test. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: Self-reported disability was used as a reference variable and was
measured using the RMDQ at baseline and after 1 and 12 months. The FTF and SLR
were measured at baseline and after 1 month. Responsiveness and imprecision were
assessed by using effect size (ES) and minimal detectable change (MDC). The
sample was stratified by the presence or absence of radicular pain (categorized
by the slump test). RESULTS: The change in FTF results was significantly
correlated to the 1-month change in RMDQ, both in the entire sample (r=.63) and
in the group with radicular pain (r=.66). Similar analysis for the SLR showed a
weak relationship to RMDQ.
FTF showed adequate responsiveness (ES range, 0.8-0.9)
in contrast to SLR (ES range, 0.2-0.5). The MDC for FTF and SLR were 4.5 cm and
5.7 degrees , respectively. The change in FTF results over 1 month was
independently more strongly associated with the 12-month (R(2)=.27-.31) change in
RMDQ than any of the other variables and multivariate combinations. CONCLUSIONS:
Our results suggest that the FTF has good validity in patients with
acute/subacute low back pain and even better validity in those with radicular
pain. The change in FTF results over the first month was a valid predictor of the
change in self-reported disability over 1 year. In contrast, the validity of SLR
can be questioned in the present group of patients.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS