ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the reliability and validity of the simplified Chinese version of the Oswestry disability index (SCODI) and the curative effect of community-based rehabilitation for patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods 165 patients with LDH received community-based rehabilitation according to the severity of their LDH. Before treatment and after 3 months, the SCODI, the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the effects. The reliability and validity of the SCODI was thus tested. The reliability analysis included internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's coefficient,and test-retest reliability as measured by an interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The validity analysis used Spearman's correlation coefficient (for concurrent efficacy validity) and factor analysis (for construct validity). The correlation between SCODI, RMDQ and VAS results was analyzed. Results There was statistically significant functional improvement and better QOL in LDH patients after community-based rehabilitation. The SCODI showed good validity and reliability. There was significant correlation among the SCODI, RMDQ and VAS results. Conclusion Community-based rehabilitation can significantly alleviate symptoms for patients with LDH and improve their QOL.The SCODI is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the curative effect of community-based rehabilitation on patients with LDH.