Translation and validation of the Urdu version of the neck pain and disability scale

Abstract

Purpose

To translate and cross-culturally adapt the neck pain and disability scale (NPDS) into Urdu language (NPDS-U), and to investigate the NPDS-U’s psychometric properties in patients with non-specific neck pain (NSNP).

Methods

The NPDS was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Urdu in accordance with the previously described guidelines. The study included 200 NSNP patients and 50 healthy participants. The NPDS-U, Urdu version of neck disability index (NDI-U), neck Bournemouth questionnaire (NBQ)_, and numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) were completed by all participants. After three weeks of physiotherapy, the patients completed all of the above-mentioned questionnaires, along with the global rating of change scale. Reliability, factor analysis, validity, and responsiveness were all tested.

Results

The NPDS-U demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (ICC_2,1=0.92) and high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.96). There were no floor or ceiling effects. A three-factor structure was extracted, which explained 70.42% of the total variance. The NPDS-U showed moderate to strong correlations with NPRS, NDI-U, and NBQ (r = 0.67–0.76, p < 0.001). A significant difference in the NPDS-U change scores between the stable and the improved groups (p < 0.001) confirmed its responsiveness.

Conclusion

The NPDS-U is a reliable, valid, and responsive scale for assessing neck pain and disability in Urdu-speaking patients with NSNP.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• The Urdu version of Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS-U) is a reliable and valid tool for assessing neck pain and disability in Urdu-speaking patients with non-specific neck pain (NSNP).

• The NPDS-U can be used to distinguish between people who have neck pain and disability and those who do not.

• NPDS-U exhibited a 3-factor structure.

• The NPDS-U is a responsive instrument that can be used to assess treatment efficacy in NSNP patients.

• The NPDS-U is a simple and easy to use in clinical and research settings.

Keywords:

• Neck pain
• outcome assessment
• psychometrics
• translations
• validation study

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Abeer Ahmed and Dr. Anza Tanzeem, for their help and assistance in this study. The authors also thank all of the participants involved in the study. Clinicians and researchers who want to use our translation can do so.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.