Neck Disability IndexNDI — Cervical Spine Disability MeasurePatient GuideCervical Disability Assessment10 sections measuring daily living impact1. Pain IntensityNo painMild, no medsModerate, some medsModerate, full medsSevere, partial reliefWorst imaginable2. Personal CareNormal careSlow but no painNeed extra effortNeed help sometimesNeed help dailyCannot dress3. LiftingHeavy loads, no painHeavy loads, painFloor-level, painLight only, painVery light onlyCannot lift4. ReadingUnlimited, no painUnlimited, mildUnlimited, moderateLimited moderateBrief <30 minCannot read5. HeadachesNo headachesSlight, infrequentModerate, frequentModerate, constantSevere, constantConstant, disabling6. ConcentrationFull concentrationSlight difficultyWith effortSome difficultyGreat difficultyCannot concentrate7. WorkUsual work, no limitsUsual work, limitsMost work, modifiedHalf-time workPart-time, light dutyCannot work8. DrivingUnlimited, no painUnlimited, mild painLimited, moderate painLimited, no highwayCannot drive due to neckCannot drive at all9. SleepingUnlimited, no painUnlimited, mild painDisturbed, moderateDisturbed <6h sleepDisturbed <4h sleepNo sleep10. RecreationAll activities, no painAll, mild painMost, some limitsSome activities onlyFew activitiesCannot do anyDisability LevelRaw Score0Disability %0%Compute NDI ScoreReset DefaultsGuidelines & EvidenceWhen to UseHow it WorksClinical PearlsNext StepsThe EvidenceOrigins & HistorySection 1When to UseSection 2How it WorksSection 3Clinical PearlsSection 4Next StepsSection 5The EvidenceSection 6Origins & HistoryVerifiedLast Review: 2026-07-17When to UseWhen to UseNeck pain disability assessmentWhiplash-associated disordersCervical radiculopathy functional impactCervical spondylosis evaluationPost-cervical spine surgery outcomesHow it WorksSectionsSectionTopicScore Range1Pain Intensity0-52Personal Care0-53Lifting0-54Reading0-55Headaches0-56Concentration0-57Work0-58Driving0-59Sleeping0-510Recreation0-5FormulaRaw Score = Sum of 10 section scores (0-50) Disability % = (Raw Score / 50) x 100 Higher % = greater disabilityClinical PearlsInterpretationDisability %Classification0-20%Minimal Disability21-40%Mild Disability41-60%Moderate Disability61-80%Severe Disability81-100%Complete DisabilityKey PointsMCID: 10-15 percentage pointsGold standard for neck pain disabilityAdapted from the Oswestry Disability IndexNext StepsClinical Actions01Calculate disability percentage02Classify severity using interpretation guide03For moderate-severe: imaging and specialist referralThe EvidencePrimary ReferenceThe Neck Disability Index: a study of reliability and validityVernon H et al. • Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 1991;14(7):409-415Origins & HistoryDevelopmentThe NDI was developed by Howard Vernon and Silvano Mior in 1991, adapted from the Oswestry Disability Index.Last Comprehensive Review: 2026-07-17
