The Prolo Scale: history, evolution and psychometric properties.

Area of Science:

• Spinal Surgery Outcomes Assessment
• Health Measurement and Evaluation

Background:

• The Prolo Scale (PS) is widely used for assessing lumbar spinal surgery results.
• There is a lack of consensus regarding the application, interpretation, and accuracy of the PS in scientific literature.

Observation:

• Multiple versions of the Prolo Scale exist, including adaptations for different spinal regions and item counts.
• The specific version of the PS used is often not cited, hindering direct study comparisons.
• While a multidimensional approach to low back pain (LBP) assessment is favored, a universally accepted tool remains elusive.

Findings:

• The Prolo Scale has been utilized for two decades due to its ease of administration and utility in comparing surgical study data.
• Despite demonstrated sensitivity in some studies, a comprehensive validation of the PS is currently lacking in the literature.
• The PS is frequently employed as a secondary outcome measure alongside primary LBP assessment tools.

Implications:

• Standardized application and validation of the Prolo Scale are needed to improve the reliability of lumbar spinal surgery outcome assessment.
• Further research should focus on establishing the psychometric robustness of the PS to ensure consistent and accurate data interpretation.
• Developing consensus on the most reliable multidimensional tool for LBP evaluation is crucial for advancing clinical practice and research.