ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: [corrected] To make cultural adaptation and validation of the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) in Argentina, determining its psychometric properties in patients with neck pain of mechanical origin referred to the physiotherapy Service at D. F. Santojanni Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: autorization of original author of the NPQ was requested. Then we make the linguistic adaptation and pilot study. Psychometric analyses included test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient), validity (Pearson correlation coefficient NPQ-Visual Analog Scale, VAS), internal consistency (Cronbach Coefficient Alpha) and sensibility to change (paired t test). Sixty patients were inclueed from September 2007 to February 2009 with mechanical neck pain. The variables percentage of disability (NPQ) and pain (VAS) were measured on the day of admission, 24 hours later and when the patient was discharged. RESULTS: Twenty six patients completed the study, 4 were eliminated and 30 did not complete the 3rd measurement. We get a good test-retest reliability (CCI 0,8979) and a high internal consistency (Cronbach Coefficient Alpha 0,86). Validity obtained a good correlation (r=0,678). Sensitivity to change was good (r=0,661). CONCLUSION: The NPQ is a valid, reliable and sensitive instrument to assess disability associated with neck pain of mechanical origin in patients treated at the hospitals of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.