INTRODUCTION
The prevalence of neck pain is generally higher in women 
than men and usually increases with age; there is evidence 
that the younger population has a better prognosis for 
improvement. People with neck pain may have associated 
psychological factors, including anxiety, depression, 

 [1]catastrophizing, and fear of movement  

The WHO denes quality of life (QOL) as an individual 
purpose-aligned cultural and value system by which a person 
lives, relative to their aims, hopes, living standards and 
interests. This is a detailed concept which incorporates 
individuals' physical and psychological health, their degree of 
independence, their social liaisons and how they relate to 
their surroundings. Quality of life is an area of study that has 
attracted an ever increasing amount of interest (McCall, 2005; 
Ruzevicius, 2012). 

The long term, lower intensity stress and strain and improper 
posture are believed to be the most important causative factor 

 [13]for neck pain

MATERIAL AND METHOD
Ÿ Study design: Comparative study
Ÿ Sample size: 100
Ÿ Source of data collection: community
Ÿ Sampling design: convenient

PARTICIPATION CRITERIA
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Ÿ Undergraduate students between the ages of 18-25 years.
Ÿ Both male and female suffering from Non-specic neck 

pain since 6 months.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 
Ÿ Person who have traumatic injury in past 6 months.
Ÿ History of cervical fracture.
Ÿ Any other clinical pathology in last 6 months. 

RESULT
Table 1: Comparison of Pain intensity scores between male 
and female subjects.

**Signicant at .01 level

INFERENCE: 
the mean value for the score of pain intensity (PI) of male is 0.84 
with standard  Deviation of 0.817. The mean value for the score 
of pain intensity (PI) of female is 1.46 with standard deviation 
of 1.073.

The t-value is 3.250 suggesting results to be Signicant at .01 
levels, which means that the pain intensity component of 
quality of life in females with non-specic neck pain is higher 
than males with non-specic neck pain.

Table 2: Comparison of Reading scores between male and 
female subjects.

**Signicant at .01 level

INFERENCE: 
The mean value for the score of reading (RG) of male is 0.88 

with standard deviation of 0.824. The mean value for the score 

of reading (RG) of female is 1.54 with standard deviation 0.973.
The t-value is 3.659 suggesting results to be signicant at .01 

levels, which means that the reading component of quality of 

life in females with non-specic neck pain is higher than males 

with non-specic neck pain

 A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN QUALITY OF LIFE OF MALE AND 
FEMALE AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH NON-SPECIFIC NECK PAIN

Original Research Paper

Sana Ansari
Intern (B.O.Th), Department Of Rehabilitation Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, 
New Delhi, India

  X 11GJRA - GLOBAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS

Rehabilitation Science

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of neck pain is generally higher in women than men and usually 
increases with age. QOL is an area of study that has attracted an ever increasing amount of interest. The 

WHO denes quality of life (QOL) as an individual purpose-aligned cultural and value system by which a person lives, relative 
to their aims, hopes, living standards and interests. HRQOL has become increasingly important, as it combines the evaluation 
and treatment of the patient's perception of the diseases impact.  
OBJECTIVE: To nd out the association of non-specic neck pain with quality of life. To nd out the Difference in quality of life of 
male and female due to non-specic neck pain.
METHOD: 50 Males and 50 Females between the ages of 18-25 years with Non-Specic Neck Pain were taken. Data was 
collected by using Neck Disability Index questionnaire and lled by the participants. 
RESULT: Higher the Non-Specic Neck Pain more will be the Quality of Life affected.
CONCLUSION: The nding of the study suggests that QOL of Females is more affected than males and it is associated with 
Non-Specic Neck Pain.

ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS : Non-specic Neck Pain, Hrqol, Chronic Pain.

VOLUME-9, ISSUE-2, FEBRUARY-2020 • PRINT ISSN No. 2277 - 8160 • DOI : 10.36106/gjra

Dr. Deepshikha 
Gupta*

Assistant Professor (Occupational Therapy), Department of Rehabilitation 
Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India *Corresponding Author 

Male 50 0.84 0.817 3.250**

Female 50 1.46 1.073

Gender N Mean S.D t-value

Gender N Mean S.D t-value

Male 50 0.88 0.824 3.659**

Female 50 1.54 0.973



12 X GJRA - GLOBAL JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS

Table 3: Comparison of Headache scores between male and 
female subjects.

*Signicant at .05 level

INFERENCE: 
The mean value for the score of headache (HA) of male is 1.00 
with standard deviation of 0.833.The mean value for the score 
of headache (HA) of female is 1.44 with standard deviation 
1.146.

The t-value is 2.196 suggesting result to be signicant at .05 
level, which means that the headache component of quality of 
life in females with non-specic neck pain is higher than males 
with non-specic neck pain.

Table 4: Comparison of Concentration scores between male 
and female subjects

*Signicant at .05 level

INFERENCE: 
The mean value for the score of concentration (CC) of male is 
0.78 with standard deviation 0.864. The mean value for the 
score of concentration (CC) of female is 1.30 with standard 
deviation 1.233.

The t-value is 2.442 suggesting results to be signicant at .05 
levels, which means that the concentration component of 
quality of life in females with non-specic neck pain is higher 
than males with non-specic neck pain.

Table 5: Comparison of total score between male and female 
subjects.

*Signicant at .05 level

INFERENCE: 
The mean value for the total score (TS) of male is 17.64 with 
standard deviation 11.302. The mean value for the total score 
(TS) of female is 23.08 with standard deviation 10.581.

The t-value is 2.485 suggesting results to be signicant at .05 
levels, which means that total score of female with non-
specic neck pain is higher than males with non-specic neck 
pain.

DISCUSSION
The purpose of the study was to compare the Quality of Life of 
Male and Female and its Association with non-specic Neck 
Pain in general population from age range 18 to 25 years. The 
result of the study suggested that, Higher the non-specic 
neck pain more will be the Quality of Life affected.

Total 100 subjects were taken in the study with non-specic 
neck pain after considering the inclusion and exclusion 
criteria. The age group of the subjects taken was 18-25 years. 
The participants were divided into male and female, 50 each. 
The purpose of study was explained to all eligible participants 
in their local language. Consent was obtained from all who 
were willing to participate in the survey. After taking the 
Demographic data, Research Data was collected. Questio 
nnaire was lled by the participants. The questionnaire used 
was The Neck Disability Index (NDI) developed by Vernon, H. 
& Mior, S. (1991). NDI is 10 items scale.-Pain Intensity, Personal 
Care, Lifting, Reading, Headache, Concentration, Work, 
Driving, Sleeping, and Recreation. Each of the 10 item scores 
from 0 to 5.The maximum score is 50.  Scoring was calculated 
by the investigator and was statically analyzed using T-test. 
The scoring of the questionnaire was calculated by the 
investigator and was statistically analyzed using T test. 

The result of the study for N=100, the mean of Pain Intensity for 
male is 0.84 with S.D 0.817 and mean for female is 1.46 with 
S.D 1.073. The t-value is 3.250**, which is signicant at .01 
levels. This result suggested that the Pain Intensity of Females 
with non-specic Neck Pain is higher than Males. For N=99, 50 
were Male 49 were Female, the mean of Personal Care for 
Male is 0.58 with S.D 0.883 and for female is 0.53 with S.D 

NS,0.844. The t-value is 0.284  which is not signicant. This result 
suggests that the Personal Care component of Quality of Life 
is not affected by non-specic Neck Pain in Males and 
Females. For N=100, the mean of Lifting for Male is 0.98 with 
S.D 1.152 and Mean for Female is 1.18 with S.D 1.173. The t-

NSvalue was 0.860 , which is not signicant. This result suggests 
that Lifting component of Quality of Life is not affected by non-
specic Neck Pain in Males and Females. For N= 100, the 
mean of Reading component for Male is 0.88 with S.D 0.824 
and mean for Female is 1.54 with S.D 0.973. The t-value was 
3.659** which is signicant at .01 levels. The result suggests 
that the Reading component of Quality of Life in Females with 
non-specic Neck Pain is higher than Males with non-specic 
Neck Pain. For N=100, the mean of Headache for Male is 1.00 
with S.D 0.833 and mean for Female is 1.44with S.D 1.146. The 

VOLUME-9, ISSUE-2, FEBRUARY-2020 • PRINT ISSN No. 2277 - 8160 • DOI : 10.36106/gjra

Gender N Mean S.D t-value

Male 50 1.00 0.833 2.196*

Female 50 1.44 1.146

Gender N Mean S.D t-value

Male 50 0.78 0.864 2.442*

Female 50 1.30 1.233

Gender N Mean S.D t-value

Male 50 17.64 11.302 2.485*

Female 50 23.08 10.581



t-value was 2.196*. Which are signicant at .05 level. The 
Headache component of Quality of Life in Females with non-
specic Neck Pain is higher than Males with non-specic Neck 
Pain. FOR N=100, the mean of Concentration Male is 0.78 with 
S.D 0.864 and mean for Female is 1.30 with S.D 1.233. The t-
value was 2.442*, which is signicant at .05 level. This result 
suggests that, the Concentration component of Quality of Life 
in Females with non-specic Neck Pain is higher than Males 
with non-specic   Neck Pain. For N=100, the mean of Work for 
Male is 1.00 with S.D 1.143 and Mean for Female is 0.78 with 

NSS.D 0.840. The t-value is 1.097 , which is not signicant. Hence 
this result suggests that the Work component of Quality of Life 
is not affected by non-specic Neck Pain in Males and 
Females. For N=80, 39 were Male 41 were Female, the mean of 
Driving for Male is 1.38 with S.D 1.549 and Mean for Female is 

NS1.37 with S.D 1.729. The t-value was 0.51 , which is not 
signicant. This result suggests that the Driving component of 
Quality of Life is not affected by non-specic Neck Pain in 
Males and Females. For N=100, the mean of Sleeping score 
for Male 0.76 with S.D 1.098 and Mean for Female 1.00 with 

NSS.D 0.990. The t-value is 1.148 , which is not signicant. This 
result suggests that, the Sleeping component of Quality of Life 
is not affected by non-specic Neck Pain in Males and 
Females. For N=99, 50 were Male, 49 were Female, the mean 
of Recreation component of Quality of Life for Male is 0.76 with 
S.D 0.797 and Mean for Female is 1.00 with S.D 0.677. The t-

NSvalue was 1.613 , which is not signicant. This result suggests 
that Recreation component of Quality of Life is not affected by 
non-specic Neck Pain in Males and Females.

For N=100, the mean of total score for Male is 17.64 with S.D 
11.302 and mean for Female is 23.08 with S.D 10.581.The t-
value was 2.485*. Which is signicant at .05 level. This result 
suggests that the total score of Female with non-specic Neck 
Pain is higher than Males with neck pain. Which suggest that 
higher the neck pain more will be the quality of life affected. 
The result of the present study suggests that, there is a 
comparison between quality of life of Male and Female and its 
association with non-specic neck pain. This research is 
supported by the research conducted in 2018 Prachita 
Walankar et al department of musculoskeletal sciences, 
MGM College of physiotherapy, Navi Mumbai on Pain and 
Quality of Life in Non-specic Neck Pain Patients. Signicant 
difference was observed quality of life scores among males 
and females, hence these component should included during 
assessment which will provide a holistic and multimodal 
approach towards the understanding, planning and 
enhancement of management of these patients. According to 
Filiz Altug et al that chronic neck pain negatively impacts on 
overall health status and the causes of dysfunctions due to an 
increase in intensity of pain and decreasing of level quality of 
life.  We recommended that improving quality of life and 
preventing disability in chronic neck pain patients must be 
motivated for regular exercise. Begum Saripinarli,et al  
Department of physiotherapy and rehabilitation, Faculty of 
Health Science, OKAN University on  Relationship Between 
Sleep Quality And Chronic Neck Pain In Adults. Negative 
ndings in individuals with non-specic chronic neck pain can 
affect the individual's sleep quality. Although medium 
correlation found between neck pain and sleep quality in 
response, patients may face many of the traditional 
compensatory strategies in an effort to improve sleep quantity 
and quality.  

CONCLUSION
The study showed that there is signicant difference in quality 
of life of males and females with non-specic neck pain. The 
pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headache, 
concentration, and recreation is higher in females, but work, 
sleeping and driving is higher in males, so the quality of life of 
females is more affected than males. It showed there is a 
negative correlation between pain and quality of life which 

indicates that increase in the intensity of pain the quality of life 
reduces. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is my esteemed to present the research survey and whole 
hearted thanks to each and everyone who helped me in this 
research survey.

Firstly, I would like to thank Almighty God for giving me the 
courage to complete my research survey.

I thank Dr. Manju Chhugani Dean of SNSAH and Dr. Ona P. 
Desai, H.O.D of Department of Rehabilitation, who provided a 
conductive atmosphere to pursue this research survey.

It is a great pleasure to express my deep sense of respect to my 
Guide Dr. Deepshikha Gupta. I took up this project and could 
see myself through the completion of it only because of her 
friendly suggestion, abundant affection and high degree of 
knowledge, excellent research temperament and zeal.

I express my sincere thanks to Dr. Nazia Ali, Dr. Saba Aziz, Dr. 
Aditya Kasotia, Dr. Kaaynat Khan who always enriched me 
with experiences, high degree of knowledge, and valuable 
advices, wherever I required.

I am also thankful to Prof. B.S Nagi, who played a key role in 
analyzing my data. I would like to show my gratitude towards 
him for helping me whenever and wherever I needed. 

I am grateful to my family and friends who are the ultimate 
source of strength, their love and sacrice over the years who 
have opened countless opportunities for me.

I want to thanks my mother Mrs. Nasra Ansari; father Dr. 
Ruknuddin Ansari, Brother Mr. Momin Ansari, Sisters Mrs. 
Tamhid Ansari, Mrs. Nahid Ansari, Ms. Hina Ansari, sister in 
law Mrs. Khushhal Sahiba.

I am very thankful to my friends Sidra Farooqui, Waize Naqui, 
Jagriti Yadav, and Namira Hasan. Finally yet importantly, I 
would like to thanks all the subjects who have participated in 
the study. To these people and many others-thank you once 
again for your help and encouragement. 

I regret if I have forgotten anyone's name. May God bless them 
all.

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VOLUME-9, ISSUE-2, FEBRUARY-2020 • PRINT ISSN No. 2277 - 8160 • DOI : 10.36106/gjra