Table 3:

Summary of findings for withholding MR imaging results for 6 months versus results received within 48 hours^{^a}

Follow-Up Period/Outcome	Outcome Measure (Scale)	Effect Size^{^b}Mean Difference (95% CI)
Short-term
Pain	VAS (0–10)	−0.54 (−1.35−0.27)
Disability	RMDQ (0–24)	−1.00 (−2.63−0.63)
Absenteeism	Mean No. sick days	0.20 (−0.47−0.87)
Quality of life	SF−36 (0–100)	PF: −7.00 (−13.99 to −0.01); RP: −9.70 (−21.74−2.34)BP: −8.50 (−15.51 to −1.49); GH: −3.10 (−8.35−2.15)VT: −4.80 (−10.97−51.37); SF: −0.70 (−7.00−5.60)RE: −7.30 (−17.29−2.69); MH: −9.30 (−15.44 to −3.16)
Fear of movement	FABQ: PA (0–24)	−0.40 (−2.29−1.49)
Fear of movement	FABQ: W (0–42)	−1.30 (−4.57−1.97)
Long-term
Pain	VPAS (0–10)	−0.10 (−1.0−0.80)
Disability	RMDQ (0–24)	−0.70 (−2.54−1.14)
Absenteeism	Mean No. sick days	0.07 (−0.74−0.88)
Quality of life	SF −36 (0–100)	PF: −0.70 (−9.30−7.90); RP: −1.00 (−14.68−12.68)BP: −0.60 (−9.82−8.62); GH: −5.00 (−12.57−2.57)VT: −3.50 (−11.09−4.09); SF: −0.70 ( −7.00−5.60)RE: −1.60 (−12.26−9.06); MH:–6.70 (−13.15 to −0.25)
Fear of movement	FABQ: PA (0–24)	0.60 (−1.74−2.94)
	FABQ: W (0–42)	−0.50 (−3.04−4.04)

Note:—FABQ indicates Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire; PA, physical activity; W, work; RMDQ, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire; SF, short form−36; PF, physical functioning; RP, role-physical; BP, bodily pain; GH, general health; VT, vitality; RE, role-emotional; MH, mental health; VAS, visual analog scale.
↵a Ash et al, 2008,¹⁹, n= 246, GRADE = very low. Negative values of the mean difference estimate represent an effect in favor of the intervention group.
↵b Only mean difference effects are presented.