No prognostic model for people with recent-onset low back pain has yet been demonstrated to be suitable for use in clinical practice: a systematic review.

Objective: What model development and external validation studies exist that focus on the prognosis of patients with recent-onset low back pain (LBP)? What is the performance (in terms of discrimination and calibration) of these clinical prediction models?

Methods: Systematic searches on MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL were conducted. Model development and/or external validation studies of patients with recent-onset LBP were selected. Models predicting outcomes of pain, disability, sick leave, work absence and self-reported recovery, with at least 12 weeks of follow-up, were included.

Physical activity and disability measures in chronic non-specific low back pain: a study of responsiveness.

Objectives:: To compare the responsiveness of disability measures with physical activity measures in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) undergoing a course of physical therapy treatment.

Design:: This is a prospective cohort study with two-month follow-up.

Subjects:: A total of 106 patients presenting with non-specific CLBP of more than three months duration were recruited.