Use of the MMPI and MCMI in predicting outcome of lumbar laminectomy

This study compared the abilities of the MMPI and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), using discriminant analyses, to predict outcome after lumbar laminectomy for chronic back pain. Sixty-nine males and 60 females with lumbar discogenic disease completed MMPIs and MCMIs before surgery and were classified as either having good or fair/poor surgical outcomes based on self-reported pain relief, return to work, restriction of activities, and medication use. Results showed both the MMPI and MCMI to have moderate ability to predict surgery outcome. A slightly higher classification hit rate was obtained with both instruments when age, sex, employment status, and presence of compensation/litigation issues also were entered into the prediction equation. Results indicate the need for caution in using either instrument to make predictions of surgery outcome in individual cases.