Psychotherapy and psychosomatics
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Waddell and colleagues have identified a series of nonorganic signs which may appear in low back pain patients. The occurrence of these signs helps predict nonphysiological factors in the etiology of the pain. This study describes the development of the Waddell Equivalency Scale (WES) which elicits comparable information from patients with pain at other sites. ⋯ Behavioral expectations and treatment plans, à la Waddell, can now be applied to patients with other than low back pain. Clinical application of the WES information over a variety of pain populations will be required to determine the parameters of its usefulness.