Validity of a new questionnaire

Reliability and validity of a new questionnaire for measuring symptoms and functional limitations in neck pain

A questionnaire for measuring symptoms and functional limitations in neck pain was developed in the nineties at a vocational rehabilitation center in mid Sweden (Alfta Rehab Center). Current project aim at assessing the reliability and validity of this questionnaire, named the ProFitMap-neck, on three different chronic neck pain groups.

The present study introduces the neck-specific Profile Fitness Mapping questionnaire (ProFitMap-neck). The ProFitMap-neck was clinically derived based on input from a target group and consists of a functional limitation and a symptom scale, with the latter subdivided in separate indices for severity and temporal aspects.

The aim of the study was to assess the overall reliability and validity of the ProFitMap-neck. This was accomplished on three different chronic neck pain groups: 1) whiplash associated disorders, inpatient care, 2) non-specific neck pain, inpatient care and 3) non-specific neck pain subjects. All groups answered the ProFitMap-neck and the SF-36, while group 3 also answered the Neck Disability Index and the Functional Self-Efficacy Scale. Preliminary results show good reliability (high internal consistency and test-retest reliability) and indicate that the ProFitMap-neck is valid for measuring symptoms and functional limitations on people with chronic WAD and non-specific neck pain.