Four-week outcomes for the guidance-based group:
the modified Oswestry score was 42.8 at baseline and 32.4 at 4 weeks (mean change 11.6, standard deviation, SD=18.1);
the SF-36 PCS was 29.5 at baseline and 36.8 at 4 weeks (mean change -8.0, SD=11.3);
the SF-36 MCS was 53.5 at baseline and 50.6 at 4 weeks (mean change 3.5, SD=8.5);
the physical impairment score was 5 at baseline and 4 at 4 weeks; and
the patient satisfaction score was 11 at 4 weeks.
Four-week outcomes for the classification-based group:
the modified Oswestry score was 42.9 at baseline and 21.4 at 4 weeks (mean change 22.5, SD=19.3);
the SF-36 PCS was 29.7 at baseline and 43.0 at 4 weeks (mean change -13.6, SD=19.3);
the SF-36 MCS was 51.4 at baseline and 52.2 at 4 weeks (mean change -2.1, SD=7.4);
the physical impairment score was 4 at baseline and 2 at 4 weeks; and
the patient satisfaction score was 13 at 4 weeks.
One-year outcomes for the guidance-based group:
the modified Oswestry score was 42.8 at baseline and 25.8 at one year (mean change 17.4, SD=20.6);
the SF-36 PCS was 29.5 at baseline and 40.7 at one year (mean change -12.0, SD=12.8); and
the SF-36 MCS was 53.5 at baseline and 51.3 at one year (mean change 2.9, SD=11.2).
One-year outcomes for the classification-based group:
the modified Oswestry score was 42.9 at baseline and 17.4 at one year (mean change 26.4, SD=16.9);
the SF-36 PCS was 29.7 at baseline and 45.0 at one year (mean change -15.6, SD=10.7); and
the SF-36 MCS was 51.4 at baseline and 50.8 at one year (mean change -0.74, SD=9.6).
After 4 weeks 21 patients (58%) in the guideline-based group (n=36) had no work-related restrictions and 15(42%) had some restrictions. This compared with 34 patients (83%) in the classification-based approach (n=41) having no restrictions and 7 (17%) having some restrictions.