Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS)
Measures the level of functional disability in daily activities for individuals with low back pain.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) was developed by Kopec J. (Dutch version: Schoppink E.M.) (1995). 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 20 items organized into 6 factors/subscales: Bed/Rest, Sitting/Standing, Ambulation, Movement, Handling large/heavy objects, Daily activities.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Bed/Rest | 1,2,3 | 3 |
| Sitting/Standing | 4,5,6 | 3 |
| Ambulation | 7,8,9,12 | 4 |
| Movement | 10,11,13,14,15 | 5 |
| Handling large/heavy objects | 16,17 | 2 |
| Daily activities | 18,19,20 | 3 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not difficult at all, 1 = Minimally difficult, 2 = Moderately difficult, 3 = Fairly difficult, 4 = Very difficult, 5 = Unable to do.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 100. Interpretation guidelines:
- Minimal disability: 0 – 20
- Mild disability: 21 – 40
- Moderate disability: 41 – 60
- Severe disability: 61 – 80
- Very severe disability: 81 – 100
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of High internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.90 – 0.96).
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.