Summary
The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) is a 24-item self-report instrument that measures functional disability in patients with low back pain. Originally published in 1983 in the journal Spine, the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire is a standardized evaluation of low back pain. Dr. Martin Roland is Emeritus Professor of Health Services Research at the University of Cambridge.It includes a list of statements that patients may use to describe their health in relation to their back pain. A patient taking the survey agrees or disagrees with these statements (Yes/No). Each item is scored 0 (No) or 1 (Yes), with total scores ranging from 0 to 24, where higher scores indicate greater disability. The instrument assesses limitations in activities of daily living, mobility, self-care, and pain-related behaviors.The final score, out of 24 represents the degree of disability due to low back pain. A maximum score of 24 indicates the greatest degree of disability from back pain. This score may be used to monitor the pain and symptoms of patients with back pain over time.The RMDQ is widely used in clinical practice and research as a reliable, valid, and responsive measure of back-pain-related functional impairment, useful for tracking patient progress and treatment outcomes.Original and Validation Literature:Roland MO, Morris RW. A study of the natural history of back pain. Part 1: Development of a reliable and sensitive measure of disability in low back pain. Spine 1983; 8: 141-144.Additional Literature:The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire. Spine 2000; 25: 3115-3124.Ostelo, Raymond WJG, et al. 24-item Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire was preferred out of six functional status questionnaires for post-lumbar disc surgery. Journal of clinical epidemiology 57.3 (2004): 268-276.