Relation Between Graduated Spinal Block Technique and MMPI for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Chronic Low-Back Pain

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Abstract
Responses to the graduated spinal block test and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) were examined in 55 patients with chronic low-back pain. The two tests agreed only 54.5% of the time in classifying patients as having either functional or organic origins of pain. Patients diagnosed as functional on the spinal block test had significantly higher scores on MMPI scales measuring hypochondriasis and repression, but otherwise were strikingly similar to patients diagnosed as organic by this procedure. The study does not strongly support the use of the graduated spinal block test as a diagnostic aid in recognizing the emotional component of chronic back pain. In a second part of the study, an 18-month followup of 38 patients indicated that the graduated spinal block test was predictive of patients' eventual return to work, while MMPI scales reflecting passivity and the use of repression were strongly related to subsequent functional activity level and perceived pain.

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