Categories used to describe the early course (weeks 1 - 4) | Definitions |
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Improved | ≥ 2 days reduction in LBP-days/week when comparing week 4 to week 1 |
Unchanged | The same number of LBP-days +/- 1 day when comparing week 4 to week 1 |
Worsened | ≥ 2 days more with LBP-days/week when comparing week 4 to week 1 |
Categories used to describe the late course (weeks 5 - 18) | Â |
Mainly recovered | A maximum of one week with any LBP-days during the late course |
Stays in the initial category | The number of LBP-days stays within the limits of the category that was assigned in the early course |
Moves towards mainly improved | Moves from unchanged or worse in the early course to being improved (reporting ≥ 2 days reduction in LBP-days/week when compared to week 1), and has a maximum of one week outside that category (The category does not apply to those who were improved in the early course) |
Fluctuating | Fluctuates between improved, unchanged, or worse as compared to week one |
Moves towards mainly worsened | Moves from improved or unchanged in the early course to being worse (reporting ≥ 2 days more with LBP-days/week than in week 1), and has a maximum of one week outside that category (The category does not apply to those who were worsened in the early course) |