Chronic back pain: a tripartite model of outcome

Studies of patients with chronic low back pain have yielded conflicting results and have been complicated by methodologic differences. This study adopts a tripartite model of outcome, including self-reports, physical measures, and objective indices of success, and examines outcome of a behavioral back rehabilitation program. One hundred thirty-two patients admitted to a back rehabilitation program were assessed physically, behaviorally, and subjectively. Results demonstrate that while 75% of patients provide subjective reports of success and 46% demonstrate significantly improved physical function, only 37% achieve vocational rehabilitation. Relationships between outcome measures are explored and arguments in support of this tripartite model are presented.