Low back pain (LBP) is a common disorder and one of the most frequent reasons for seeking healthcare. 33 Most LBP episodes are self-limiting, but a small percentage of people with LBP develop recurrent or chronic pain and disability. 31 Recurrent and chronic LBP accounts for a substantial proportion of all absence from work. 5 The longer the sick-listing, the more difficult 4 Head of Department, Department of Clinical Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Institute of Public Health, Aarhus University, Arhus, Denmark. This study is part of a randomized clinical trial financed by the municipalities of Silkeborg, Favrskov, and Skanderborg, Denmark and the Central Denmark Region. The present part of the study was also supported by a grant from the Research Foundation of Danish Physiotherapists. The study was discussed with The Regional Research Ethics Committee, which determined that formal ethical approval was not required. All participants signed informed consent, and the study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (No. -41-1278 t BaCKGrOund: Recurrent and chronic LBP accounts for a substantial proportion of all absence from work. In predicting outcome in patients with LBP, psychosocial factors are thought to play an important role, while findings from clinical examination seem to be of more limited value. Mechanical evaluation, using repeated end range spinal movements that result in specific pain responses, has been shown to be of some value.t MethOds: The study included 351 patients sick-listed because of LBP with or without sciatica. Prior to clinical examination, the patients completed a comprehensive questionnaire including questions on pain, function, and psychosocial factors. The physiotherapy examination included a standardized mechanical evaluation. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to their pain response: centralization, peripheralization, or no response. Outcomes were obtained by national register data, medical records, and a postal questionnaire at 1 year.t resuLts: At 1-year follow-up, 65% of the patients had returned to work. All pain response groups showed significant and clinically important improvements in both pain and disability. No significant differences were found between pain response groups in any outcome measure. Results remained unchanged after adjustment for potential confounders.t COnCLusiOn: The prognostic value of pain response classification seems limited in patients sick-listed from work because of LBP.t LeVeL OF eVidenCe: Prognosis, level 1b.