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Table 1 The initial 55 item list of patient characteristics to predict patients likely to obtain immediate relief from NSLBP following SMT

From: Predictors of instantaneous relief from spinal manipulation for non-specific low back pain: a delphi study

1. Duration of symptoms < 16 days

2. Pain associated with coughing or sneezing

3. Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire work scale score less than 19 out of a high of 42 (low fear category)

4. A history including a good response to previous spinal manipulation

5. At least one hip with > 35 degrees of internal rotation

6. Patient has an acute condition (<  14 days)

7. Hypomobility in the lumbar spine

8. Patient has a subacute condition (>  3 months)

9. No symptoms distal to the knee

10. Patient has a chronic condition (>  3 months)

11. Morning stiffness ≤30 mins

12. Age 10–30

13. Morning stiffness > 30 mins

14. Age 31–49

15. Pain improves with exercise, but not rest

16. Age 50+

17. Pain on waking, duration > 30 mins

18. Female

19. Pain on waking, duration ≤30 mins

20. Male

21. Pain wakes the patient at night

22. Patient BMI < 35

23. Experiences stiffness after rest (gel phenomenon)

24. Patient BMI ≥ 35

25. Pain present at all times

26. Professional opinion of health status – fair/poor

27. Pain intermittently during the day

28. Professional opinion of health status – good

29. Pain develops later in the day

30. Professional opinion of health status – excellent/ very good

31. Pain associated with standing for a while

32. Patient experiencing depression

33. Pain associated with lifting

34. Patient experiences anxiety

35. Pain associated with bending forward a little

36. Patient is stressed

37. Pain associated with bending forward as far as they can

38. Good patient – practitioner relationship

39. Pain associated with arching backwards

40. Patient has a comprehensive understanding of condition

41. Pain associated with doing or attempting to do a sit up

42. Previous episode of NSLBP in patient history

43. Pain associated with driving long distances

44. Pain affecting activities of daily living

45. Pain associated with getting out of chair

46. Patient responds well to anti-inflammatory medicine

47. Pain associated with repetitive bending

48. Decreased active range of motion

49. Pain associated with running

50. Decreased passive range of motion

51. No symptoms in the lower extremities

52. Pain severity ≤5/10

53. Pain severity rated > 5/10

54. Recurrent attack of pain

55. First episode of pain