The Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale
The Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale
The Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale
Source: Kopec JA, Esdaile JM, Abrahamowicz M, Abenhaim L, Wood-Dauphinee S, Lamping DL, et al. The
Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale. Measurement properties. Spine. 1995 Feb 1;20(3):341-52.
The Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale is a 20-item self-administered instrument designed to assess the
level of functional disability in individuals with back pain. The scale is a reliable and valid measure used for
monitoring the progress of individual patients participating in treatment or rehabilitation programs.
Scoring instructions
The patient is instructed to answer each question on a scale. Add up the selected numbers for a total score.
Interpretation of scores
The minimum score is 20 and the maximum score is 100. Higher scores correlate to greater disability.
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The Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale
Today, do you find it difficult to perform the following activities because of your back?
0 1 2 3 4 5
Not difficult Minimally Somewhat Fairly Very Unable to
at all difficult difficult difficult difficult do
4 Ride in a car 0 1 2 3 4 5
11 Throw a ball 0 1 2 3 4 5
17 Move a chair 0 1 2 3 4 5
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