What the Nordic questionnaire is
The Nordic questionnaires for musculoskeletal symptoms were introduced by Kuorinka and colleagues to collect comparable information about discomfort in ergonomics and occupational health. They are also known as the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, NMQ. Structured questions identify which body regions have symptoms and how these affect activity. Their usefulness depends on consistent instructions and reference periods.
What information it provides
The general version organises questions by body region and records problems during defined periods. Some questions explore whether these problems have interfered with usual activities. Versions for specific regions also exist. Before use, identify the version, language adaptation and purpose. Questions from different forms should not be combined and presented as a single validated instrument.
How to use it in a company
Data collection is planned with the involvement of the occupational prevention service and safeguards for confidentiality. Responses can be analysed by tasks or groups large enough to identify patterns without identifying individuals. It is important to explain that reporting discomfort helps improve work. Low participation or fear of employment consequences can bias results and conceal real problems.
Relationship with ergonomic assessment
If frequent shoulder discomfort occurs in a task, the next step is to review the work: reach, height, force, repetition, duration and recovery. The questionnaire indicates where to investigate; observation and ergonomic methods examine exposure. It should not be inferred that every symptom is caused by work or that an absence of symptoms demonstrates a safe task.
Its limitations
It relies on self-reported information and may be influenced by recall, interpretation of questions and the period studied. It does not diagnose tendinopathy or establish an occupational disease. Where a response suggests a need for healthcare, an individual assessment by competent professionals is appropriate, separate from the group reports given to the organisation. Strong conclusions from very small groups should also be avoided.
Hypothetical example
A company compares reported discomfort before and after changing the height of assembly tables. It uses the same questionnaire version and comparable periods, and combines the survey with observation of tasks and exposure. If results improve, it interprets them alongside possible changes in production, staffing and participation. Monitoring designed this way provides more information than comparing isolated percentages from two different surveys.
