Table 3

Comparison of the SF-36 scores in Back School and clinic groups at baseline and at follow-up assessments (a higher value indicates a better condition)


Back School group (n = 44)
P**
Clinic group (n = 47)
P**

Scales*
Baseline Mean (SD)
Follow-up Mean (SD)

Baseline Mean (SD)
Follow-up Mean (SD)


PF
55.5 (24.0)
79.3 (18.6)
< 0.001
53.4 (20.8)
54.4 (27.0)
0.58
RP
31.2 (26.4)
78.9 (28.5)
< 0.001
32.9 (35.7)
40.9 (36.6)
0.11
BP
43.4 (19.6)
71.5 (16.2)
< 0.001
43.5 (25.8)
56.6 (30.0)
0.001
GH
43.9 (23.1)
61.6 (22.7)
< 0.001
42.2 (22.4)
47.3 (26.1)
0.51
MH
52.7 (28.0)
74.0 (22.8)
< 0.001
48.8 (22.9)
54.3 (26.6)
0.04
RE
35.6 (42.0)
72.8 (40.6)
< 0.001
32.6 (40.4)
34.0 (42.4)
0.79
VT
48.7 (23.4)
73.2 (22.0)
< 0.001
48.6 (21.4)
56.8 (25.6)
0.02
SF
62.5 (28.2)
87.7 (21.6)
< 0.001
64.0 (29.3)
69.1 (32.7)
0.15

* PF = Physical functioning, RP = Role physical, BP = Bodily pain, General health, MH = Mental health, RE = Role emotional, VT = Vitality, SF = Social functioning.

** Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test.

Tavafian et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2007 8:21   doi:10.1186/1471-2474-8-21