Back Pain Index

INSTRUCTIONS:

This questionnaire will give your provider information about how your back condition affects your everyday life. Please answer every section by marking the one statement that applies to you. If two or more statements in one section apply, please mark the one statement that most closely describes your problem.
During the past 4 weeks......

1. Pain Intensity

The pain comes and goes and is very mild. The pain is mild and does not vary much. The pain comes and goes and is moderate. The pain is moderate and does not vary much. The pain comes and goes and is very severe. The pain is very severe and does not vary much.

2. Personal Care (e.g., Washing, Dressing)

I do not have to change my way of washing or dressing in order to avoid pain. I do not normally change my way of washing or dressing even though it causes some pain. Washing and dressing increases the pain but I manage not to change my way of doing it. Washing and dressing increase the pain and I find it necessary to change my way of doing it. Because of the pain I an unable to do some washing and dressing without help. Because of the pain I am unable to do any washing and dressing without help.

3. Lifting

I can lift heavy weights without extra pain. I can lift heavy weights but it causes extra pain. Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights off the floor. Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights off the floor, but I can manage if they are conveniently positioned (eg on a table). Pain prevents me from lifting heavy weights off the floor, but I can manage light to medium weights if they are conveniently positioned. I can lift only very light weights.

4. Walking

I have no pain while walking. I have some pain while walking but it doesn’t increase with distance. I cannot walk more than 1 mile without increasing pain. I cannot walk more than ½ mile without increasing pain. I cannot walk more than ¼ mile without increasing pain. I cannot walk at all without increasing pain.

5. Sitting

I can sit in any chair as long as I like. I can sit in my favourite chair for as long as I like. Pain prevents me from sitting for more than 1 hour. Pain prevents me from sitting for more than ½ an hour. Pain prevents me from sitting for more that 10 minutes. I avoid sitting because it increases pain immediately.

6. Standing

I can stand as long as I want without pain. I have some pain while standing but it does not increase with time. I cannot stand for longer than 1 hour without increasing pain. I cannot stand for longer than ½ hour without increasing pain. I cannot stand for longer than 10 minutes without increasing pain. I avoid standing because it increases pain immediately.

7. Sleeping

I get no pain in bed. I get pain in bed but it does not prevent met from sleeping well. Because of pain my normal sleep is reduced by less than 25% Because of pain my normal sleep is reduced by less than 50%. Because of pain my normal sleep is reduced by less than 75%. Pain prevents me from sleeping at all.

8. Changing degree of pain

My pain is rapidly getting better. My pain fluctuates but overall is definitely getting better. My pain seems to be getting better but improvement is slow. My pain is neither getting better or worse. My pain is gradually worsening. My pain is rapidly worsening.

9. Social life

My social life is normal and gives me no extra pain. My social life is normal but increases the degree of pain. Pain has no significant effect on my social life apart from limiting my more energetic interests (eg dancing, etc) Pain has restricted my social life and I do not go out very often. Pain has restricted my social life to my home. I have hardly any social life because of the pain.

10. Traveling

I get no pain while traveling. I get some pain while traveling but none of my usual forms of travel make it worse. I get extra pain while traveling but it does not cause me to seek alternate forms of travel. I get extra pain while traveling which cause me to seek alternate forms of travel. Pain restricts all forms of travel except that done while lying down. Pain restricts all forms of travel.