Farasyn and Meeusen developed the Backache Index (BAI) to evaluate patients with low back pain. This can be used to monitor the patient's response to various interventions. The authors are from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium.
Specific movements evaluated, starting while standing up straight:
(1) forward flexion at the waist (trying to touch the toes)
(2) left lateral flexion at the waist
(3) right lateral flexion at the waist
(4) left lateral flexion at the waist with extension
(5) right lateral flexion at the waist with extension
Response to Movement
Points
full range of motion with no irritation
0
full range of motion with irritation but no pain
1
full range of motion with mild to moderate pain
2
reduced range of motion with severe pain
3
BAI =
= SUM(points for all 5 movements)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 15
• The lower the score the greater the range of motion and the lower the pain.
• Successful interventions are associated with a reduction of the BAI.
Performance:
• The authors found the BAI to be a reliable measure of low back pain impairment and the response to therapy.
• Interobserver reliability was very good (ICC 0.96).
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