Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire
Measures functional disability and activity limitations in patients with low back pain.
Provided by
EVAL FoundationInstructions
When your back hurts, you may find it difficult to do some of the things you normally do. Answer the sentences that describe you today.
Disability Statements
Select the answer next to each statement that describes you TODAY.
The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) is a 24-item self-report instrument that measures functional disability in patients with low back pain. Originally published in 1983 in the journal Spine, the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire is a standardized evaluation of low back pain. Dr. Martin Roland is Emeritus Professor of Health Services Research at the University of Cambridge.
It includes a list of statements that patients may use to describe their health in relation to their back pain. A patient taking the survey agrees or disagrees with these statements (Yes/No). Each item is scored 0 (No) or 1 (Yes), with total scores ranging from 0 to 24, where higher scores indicate greater disability. The instrument assesses limitations in activities of daily living, mobility, self-care, and pain-related behaviors.
The final score, out of 24 represents the degree of disability due to low back pain. A maximum score of 24 indicates the greatest degree of disability from back pain. This score may be used to monitor the pain and symptoms of patients with back pain over time.
The RMDQ is widely used in clinical practice and research as a reliable, valid, and responsive measure of back-pain-related functional impairment, useful for tracking patient progress and treatment outcomes.
Original and Validation Literature:
Roland MO, Morris RW. A study of the natural history of back pain. Part 1: Development of a reliable and sensitive measure of disability in low back pain. Spine 1983; 8: 141-144.
Additional Literature:
The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire. Spine 2000; 25: 3115-3124.
Ostelo, Raymond WJG, et al. 24-item Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire was preferred out of six functional status questionnaires for post-lumbar disc surgery. Journal of clinical epidemiology 57.3 (2004): 268-276.
All questions & possible results
Disability Statements
Select the answer next to each statement that describes you TODAY.
1. I stay at home most of the time because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
2. I change position frequently to try to get my back comfortable.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
3. I walk more slowly than usual because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
4. Because of my back, I am not doing any of the jobs that I usually do around the house.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
5. Because of my back, I use a handrail to get upstairs.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
6. Because of my back, I lie down to rest more often.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
7. Because of my back, I have to hold onto something to get out of an easy chair.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
8. Because of my back, I try to get other people to do things for me.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
9. I get dressed more slowly than usual because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
10. I only stand up for short periods of time because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
11. Because of my back, I try not to bend or kneel down.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
12. I find it difficult to get out of a chair because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
13. My back is painful almost all of the time.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
14. I find it difficult to turn over in bed because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
15. My appetite is not very good because of my back pain.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
16. I have trouble putting on my socks (or stockings) because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
17. I can only walk short distances because of my back pain.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
18. I sleep less well because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
19. Because of my back pain, I get dressed with help from someone else.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
20. I sit down for most of the day because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
21. I avoid heavy jobs around the house because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
22. Because of my back pain, I am more irritable and bad tempered with people than usual.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
23. Because of my back, I go upstairs more slowly than usual.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
24. I stay in bed most of the time because of my back.
Select one option:
- Yes
- No
Possible results
Roland-Morris Score
The final score represents the degree of disability due to low back pain.
The higher the score, the greater degree of disability due to low back pain.
A maximum score of 24 indicates the greatest degree of disability from back pain.
This score may be used to monitor the pain and symptoms of patients with back pain over time.
Citation
Roland M, Morris R. A study of the natural history of back pain. Part I: development of a reliable and sensitive measure of disability in low-back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1983 Mar;8(2):141-4. doi: 10.1097/00007632-198303000-00004. PMID: 6222486.
