Objective To track Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores in adolescents completing a course of cervical physical therapy (CPT) after a sport-related concussion (SRC).

Design Retrospective case series.

Setting A tertiary interdisciplinary sport concussion clinic.

Participants Forty-Two adolescents (59% Female, Mean Age 15.0 ± 2.4 years) who completed a course of CPT initiated at an average of 27 days after SRC.

Interventions A CPT program to address neck pain and cervicogenic deficits in movement quality, muscle strength and endurance, tension to palpation, joint mobility, and proprioception.

Outcome Measures NDI scores measured at initiation and completion of the CPT program.

Main Results 36 participants (86%) demonstrated a measurable disability on the NDI at initial evaluation. Baseline disability was mild in 25 (60%), moderate in eight (19%), and severe in three (7%) participants. NDI scores significantly decreased (i.e. improved) over the course of CPT (initial M=10.6, SD=7.3, final M=4.5, SD= 5.7; t₄₁= -4.348 [95%CI:-7.1 to -2.6], p <0.001). Improvements exceeding the NDI’s minimal clinical important difference (MCID) for patients with non-specific neck pain were observed in 25 participants (60%).

Conclusions While formally validated only in adults, the NDI successfully captured deficits and changes in perceived neck disability in adolescents after SRC. Therefore, the NDI may be a useful assessment tool for adolescents with post-concussion cervicogenic impairments.