Development and test-retest reliability of an extended version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E): A screening instrument for musculoskeletal pain

Abstract

The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) quantifies musculoskeletal pain and activity prevention in 9 body regions. The purpose of this study was to develop an extended NMQ (NMQ-E) to collect greater information regarding musculoskeletal pain, examine test–retest reliability and the reproducibility of alternate administration methods. Reliability was examined using observed proportion of agreement for all (Po), positive (Ppos) and negative (Pneg) responses, kappa (κ), proportion of maximum kappa achieved (κ/κmax), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM). The NMQ-E was self-administered by 59 Bachelor of Nursing students at a 24-h interval with mean Po = 0.88–0.98 and κ/κmax = 0.71–0.96 for 10 dichotomous questions and mean ICC(2,1) = 0.97 and SEM = 1.05 years for the age at symptom onset question. The NMQ-E was completed via self and interview administration by 31 student nurses at a 0.97 ± 1.14 day interval with mean Po = 0.92–0.98 and κ/κmax = 0.76–1.00 for binary questions and mean ICC(2,1) = 0.90 and SEM = 1.51 years for age at symptom onset data. In both sub-studies, mean Ppos was lower than mean Pneg and low prevalence reduced κ in many instances. The NMQ-E collects reliable information regarding the onset, prevalence, and consequences of musculoskeletal pain and can be administered by self-completion and personal interview.