Scales shown; criteria for selection, meaning and use of the information provived

Cases studies Usefulness of the scales Back pain and physical disability Scales shown; criteria for selection, meaning and use of the provided information Scales to measure pain intensity Scales to measure degree of physical disability Scales to measure quality of life

Criteria for selection

Only scientifically validated scales are shown. That is to say, only those on which studies have been published demonstrating their validity and reliability in measuring pain intensity, degree of physical disability or quality of life.

Those scales whose usefulness have not been assessed, have not been validated or whose metric characteristics are not known are not mentioned here.

Meaning and use of the information provided

The scales are grouped according to the aspect they mesure (pain, quality of life and physical disability). For each scale the following is indicated:

• Name: Name and abbreviation by which it is usually called.
• Implementation and Completion: Self-administered means that the patient himself can complete it without the aid of health personnel. "Assisted" means that it should be carried out by someone representing the patient (usually health care personnel).
• Times: The average completion time (that is, the average time it takes to implement and complete the scale) and correction (that is, the average time it takes to evaluate the completion of the scale and to quantify its result).
• Range and meaning: The minimum and maximum possible scores are given, as well as what they mean (in some scales, a high score means a greater degree of illness while in others a high score means a better state and consequently a lesser degree of illness). For example, in the case of the Roland-Morris Scale "0 (=less affected) - 24 (=more greatly affected)" means that the lowest score obtained, 0, indicates that the patient is not limited in his or her physical capacity (that is, has no physical disability), while a score of 24 indicates the greatest possible degree of physical disability due to back pain.
• Languages: The language of languages in which the scale is available is indicated and its use validated. The languages into which the scale has been translated are not indicated if the study presenting its validation has not been published in the translated version.

To look at the scale, select the language from those listed and click the cursor on it. Two things can happen:

1. If the authors of the validation study have authorized the Kovacs Foundation to show the scale in the Web of the Back, you will see:
   1. The date in which the authors authorized the Foundation to show the scale.
   2. The original bibliographic reference.
   3. The scale itself, of a URL link by which it is shown.
2. Nevertheless, some authors want to receive a royalty each time the scale they have developed or validated is used or simply do not want to show it. In this case, you will see the original bibliographic reference and the information necessary to be able to contact the author if your wish to ask permission to use it.

In the section "Assess your pain and disability" in the area of this Web site addressed to the general public, a visual analog scale to assess pain intensity and a Roland-Morris scale of physical disability are shown. If you wish to see them click here.