The update on scales and questionnaires used to assess cervical spine disorders

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders affect 20%–33% of all the global population, and its prevalence is continually increasing. According to the World Health Organisation, persistent neck pain (NP) is currently one of the leading causes of disability. Therefore, the assessment of the effectiveness of treatment methods and severity of the disease is a necessity. However, due to the multiplicity of the clinical assessment tools used and different inconsistent scoring methods between researchers, some inaccuracies may arise. This review article is an up-to-date overview that provides an insight into the scales and questionnaires used to assess cervical spine disorders. We discuss generic outcome measures, i.e. NMQ (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire) and VAS (Visual Analog Scale) and the tools specific for cervical pains: NDI (Neck Disability Index), NOOS (Neck Outcome Score), NPAD (Neck Pain and Disability Scale), and NPQ (Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire). Each of these measures is presented together with the information about its origin, scoring method, and interpretation. This descriptive review is designed as an introduction to the questionnaires and scales used in the assessment of neck ailments and can serve as a practical guide for beginner clinicians and researchers.

Keywords:

• Scoring method
• neck pain
• musculoskeletal disorders
• disability

Declaration statement

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Łukasz Pulik

Łukasz Pulik, MD is currently a PhD student in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine. He is the founder of Scientific Association of Reconstructive and Oncology Orthopaedics of the Department of the Medical University of Warsaw.

Nicola Dyrek

Nicola Dyrek is a medical students interested in rehabilitation and reconstructive orthopaedics. They are currently working on the validation of the Polish version of Neck Outcome Score (NOOS).

Aleksandra Piwowarczyk

Aleksandra Piwowarczyk is a medical students interested in rehabilitation and reconstructive orthopaedics. They are currently working on the validation of the Polish version of Neck Outcome Score (NOOS).

Kaja Jaśkiewicz

Kaja Jaśkiewicz, MD is doing her residency training in allergology. Her main area of interest is health promotion and preventive measures against lifestyle diseases and the ageing process.

Sylwia Sarzyńska

Sylwia Sarzyńska, MD is a PhD student in Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine. Her main area of interest is the prevention and conservative treatment of osteoarthritis.

Paweł Łęgosz

Paweł Łęgosz Assoc. Prof. is Head of Joint Replacement Unit of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Clinic of the Medical University of Warsaw. He specialises in revision hip replacement with the use of 3D printing, and custom made implants.