Background: Self-efficacy is of particular importance in conditions that need rehabilitation
such as neck pain. Aim: the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of enhancing the
self-efficacy of patients with neck pain on their functional disability. Setting & sample: the
study was conducted at the inpatient and outpatient sections in Al-kasr Al-Aini Hospital,
affiliated to Cairo University using a quasi-experimental design with pre-post assessment on
40 adults having non-traumatic neck pain. Tools: the data were collected using a selfadministered
questionnaire that included Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale and
the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale. The nursing intervention consisted of individualized
educational sessions about proper body mechanics, isometric exercise, hot and cold
application. The effect of the intervention was evaluated by the same questionnaire. The
fieldwork started in May and ended in November 2010. The results demonstrated significant
improvements in the scores of Copenhagen scale after the intervention; the median total score
decreased from 21 to 12 (p<0.001). Self-efficacy scores also improved; the median total score
increased from 31.0 to 57.7 (p<0.001). Regression analysis identified self-efficacy score as an
independent statistically significant negative predictor of Copenhagen score, indicating less
disability. Conclusion: study findings lead to the conclusion that a nursing educational
program focused on improving the self-efficacy of the patients with neck pain led to
improvement in their functional disability. Recommendations: The study recommends
further confirmation of the study findings through a randomized clinical trial. Moreover,
validation of the tool in the local context is proposed.