Scale Overview
The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire – ODI was developed by Fairbank, J.C.T., Couper, J., Davies, J.B, O’Brien, J.P. (1980). It is designed to measure Functional disability due to low back pain. The scale is intended for use with Adults with low back pain.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 10 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = 0 – No pain / No limitation, 1 = 1 – Very mild pain / Mild limitation, 2 = 2 – Moderate pain / Moderate limitation, 3 = 3 – Fairly severe pain / Moderate-to-severe limitation, 4 = 4 – Very severe pain / Severe limitation, 5 = 5 – Worst imaginable pain / Complete limitation.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 100. Interpretation guidelines:
- Minimal disability: 0 – 20
- Moderate Disability: 21 – 40
- Severe Disability: 41 – 60
- Crippling back pain: 61 – 80
- Bed-bound or exaggerating symptoms: 81 – 100
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.