Article

OBJECTIVE: To use self-reported disability (Roland-Morris Disability
Questionnaire [RMDQ]) to assess the criterion validity of straight leg raising
(SLR) test and flexion range of motion (ROM) (fingertip-to-floor test) before and
after stratification by sex and presence/absence of radicular pain. DESIGN:
Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Outpatient physical therapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS:
Subjects with acute/subacute low back pain with (n=40) and without (n=35)
radicular pain. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We examined
the relationship between RMDQ (reference variable) and SLR test and
fingertip-to-floor test. The sample was stratified by presence/absence of
radicular pain (categorized by the dichotomous slump test). RESULTS: In the
entire sample, fair correlations were found between both physical impairment
tests (ie, SLR test and flexion ROM) and self-reported disability (.27.44).
After stratification by sex, the correlation between RMDQ and flexion ROM and
between RMDQ and nonside-specific SLR test increased in women but decreased in
men. In those with radicular pain, good correlations were found between RMDQ and
flexion ROM (r=.68 for men and r=.70 for women), and moderate correlation was
found between the RMDQ and SLR tests of the affected side in women (r=.60), but
only fair correlation was found between the RMDQ and SLR tests of the affected
side in men (r=.28). CONCLUSIONS: After stratification by sex and
presence/absence of radicular pain, the present study supports a good validity of
the fingertip-to-floor test for both men and women with radicular pain. The SLR
test, however, was of less value as an indicator of self-reported disability
after stratification, especially for men.

Langue : ANGLAIS