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. 2023 Jul 25;49(4):233–240. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2023-104639

Table 1.

Minimal clinical important differences and population normative values

Domain Normative value MCID responder thresholds Cumulative MCIDs (examples)
VAS <60 mm
(EVOKE RCT eligibility criterion)14 		≥30% decrease=1 MCID35 50% decrease=1.67 MCID
80% decrease=2.67 MCID
ODI <10.19
(normative value)14 18 		≥10 point decrease=1 MCID36 15-point decrease=1.5 MCID
20-point decrease=2 MCID
EQ-5D 0.830
(US normative value for 55–64 years)37 		≥0.074 point increase=1 MCID38 0.148-point increase=2 MCID
0.1665-point increase=2.25 MCID
PSQI 6.3
(US community sample)39 		≥3 point decrease=1 MCID40 4-point decrease=1.33 MCID
6-point decrease=2 MCID
POMS 17.7
(US adult normative value)23 		≥10 point decrease=1 MCID35 15-point decrease=1.5 MCID
20-point decrease=2 MCID

MCID, minimal clinical important difference; ODI, Oswestry Disability Index; POMS, Profile of Mood States; PSQI, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; RCT, randomized controlled trial; VAS, Visual Analog Scale.