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The Spine Team Assessment for chronic back pain disability. Part 1: basic protocol and performance in 500 patients
Andrew J Haig1, Michael E Geisser, Britt Michel
1Department of Physical Medicine, The Spine Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA. Andyhaig@umich.edu
Disability and Rehabilitation
|September 5, 2006
Summary
A standardized Spine Team Assessment (STA) reveals common deconditioning and psychosocial factors in chronic back pain patients. This multidisciplinary approach provides benchmark data for individualized treatment planning.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pain Management
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Effective treatment for chronic back pain disability requires accurate initial assessment.
- Current functional capacity evaluations and intake screenings lack independence and goal-direction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a standardized, independent, multidisciplinary assessment for chronic back pain treatment planning.
- To report characteristic findings in a population of chronically disabled individuals.
Main Methods:
- The Spine Team Assessment (STA) involved a half-day evaluation.
- Included extensive intake, therapist/counselor assessments, physician team meeting, and a comprehensive report.
- Conducted on 500 consecutive patients with chronic back pain.
Main Results:
- Common findings included low maximal cardiac performance (5.33 METS) and lifting capacity (36.4% of norms).
- High CESD depression scores (24.7) were noted, alongside prevalent fear-avoidance and poor physiological effort.
- Deconditioning, psychosocial factors, and functional deficits were widespread.
Conclusions:
- Chronic back pain patients exhibit common, complex, and variable deconditioning, psychosocial factors, and functional deficits.
- The STA offers a potentially reproducible standard for research in individualized treatment.
- This study provides benchmark data for independent multidisciplinary assessments in chronic pain.
