Reliability, Concurrent Validity, and Clinical Performances of the Shorter Version of the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire in a Sample of Italian People with Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Abstract

Background. Evaluating the psychometric and clinical performances of the RM-18, the shorter version of the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ), in Italian people with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) as a time-saving and clinically useful method of assessing disability. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 74 people (52 females and 22 males, 53.03 ± 15.25 years old) with NSLBP. The RM-18, the RMQ, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and a pain intensity numerical rating scale (NRS) were administered. Psychometric testing included reliability by internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and test–retest measurement (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, ICC2.1), and concurrent validity by comparing the RM-18 with the RMQ and the ODI (Pearson’s r correlation). Two separate regression analyses were performed to investigate the different impact of RM-18 and RMQ on NRS. Results. Cronbach’s α of RM-18 was 0.92 and ICC (2,1) = 0.96. Strong correlations were found with the RMQ and the ODI (r = 0.98; r = 0.78, respectively). The regression models showed that the RM-18 and the RMQ similarly impacted the NRS (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The RM-18 showed satisfactory psychometric testing and similarly impacted the NRS when compared to the RMQ. It can be recommended for clinical and research purposes in Italian people with NSLBP.