The ProFitMap-neck--reliability and validity of a questionnaire for measuring symptoms and functional limitations in neck pain.

PURPOSE

To assess overall reliability and validity of a neck-specific questionnaire, the Profile Fitness Mapping neck questionnaire (ProFitMap-neck), on three chronic neck pain groups.

METHOD

Participating groups were as follows: whiplash associated disorders, inpatient care (IP-WAD, n=127); nonspecific neck pain, inpatient care (IP-NS, n=83) and nonspecific neck pain subjects (non-IP-NS, n=104). All groups answered the ProFitMap-neck and the SF-36, whereas non-IP-NS also answered the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Functional Self-Efficacy Scale (SES). Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and components of convergent construct, face and content validity were determined for the ProFitMap-neck.

RESULTS

The ProFitMap-neck showed good internal consistency in all three groups, and ICC test-retest reliability (0.80-0.91). Good correlation (0.66-0.78) and highest agreement was reached with NDI. According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, the symptom scale of the ProFitMap-neck was mainly classified to the domain of impairments-body functions, and the functional limitation scale to the activity limitation domain.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that the ProFitMap-neck is valid for measuring symptoms and functional limitations in people with chronic neck pain. The combination of a composite total score of symptoms and function as well as separate scores of each domain makes ProFitMap-neck suitable for research as well as in clinical practice.