Measuring general physical functioning

Abstract

Physical functioning reflects the functioning of specific body parts (e.g., arms and hands, legs) as well as general ability to engage in instrumental activities such as cooking, cleaning, and running errands. Clinicians should consider assessing and monitoring global physical functioning in patients with pain problems for a number of reasons. First, physical functioning is influenced by pain, so improvements in physical functioning with pain treatment could be used as evidence for positive treatment outcome. At the same time, if substantial improvements in some pain domains — such as pain intensity — are observed, while little improvement in physical functioning is seen, this may be used as evidence that treatment may not be adequately broad enough to influence global rehabilitation.