To understand more about the neural underpinnings for leading and following is the driving force behind this thesis. To do so, there is a need to study leading and following on a basic level. For study I, an fMRI study of neuronal reactivity during leading and following, a minimal model was developed to study leader and follower behavior in a standardized way. This model uses finger tapping of rhythms representing the core of the interactions during leading and following. Participants are invited to both lead and follow, and no expertise is expected. The status difference between the leader and follower is not a part of the model. Data collection is made in Japan, and most of the analyses are carried out in Sweden. In study II the Swedish Universities Scales of Personality is translated from Swedish to Japanese. Personality can be described as a crucial feature in a person’s social and emotional functioning; they are relatively stable over the course of a lifetime. Three dimensions representing personality facets probably relevant for leading and following are emotional stability, extraversion, and agreeableness. Study II resulted in SSPJ-11 with eleven reliable personality scales representing theses three facets relevant for leading and following. Study I presented an effective model to investigate leading and following during fMRI scanning. This model can be used with other designs for further brain imaging and behavior studies. From Study I, it became clear that the neuronal reactivation for leading and following largely overlap, with some specific differences in insular, temporal, and cerebellar reactivity. These results could be a first step towards a revealing the crucial components of neuro reactivations for leading and following.

Neck pain is the second most common musculoskeletal disorder after low back pain adding to the global burden of disease. A focus on evaluating outcomes for musculoskeletal conditions is imperative to evaluate the effect of interventions and to track the progression of disease. As evidence based practice and associated use of patient-based outcomes are taken up across different countries, it becomes imperative for cross-cultural translation studies. Given the uptake of technology in workplaces, it is also important to understand the prevalence of neck pain in this context. This thesis has focused on two objectives: 1. Translating a newly developed patient-report outcome measure of neck-related disability and testing its psychometric properties. 2. Estimating the prevalence of neck pain in computer-using workers. The first manuscript focusses on cross cultural translation and validation of ND10 (Neck difficulty10) that was designed to measure neck-related disability. A new English outcome measure for neck disability (ND10) was cross culturally translated and validated in computer users in India using forward and backward translation, and cognitive interviewing to determine a final version. The ND10-H demonstrated high reliability (ICC= 0.93) and convergent construct validity with the NDI and DASH (r= 0.78 and 0.86) The second manuscript reported the prevalence of neck pain in computer users in India. Sampling was performed in two different companies: A Spiritual Media Publication Organization (SMPO) and an Information Technology (IT) company. The companies were selected based on computer use and their willingness to participate. The survey was administered to all employees (n=150 & n=54) at these two companies. The overall prevalence of neck pain was 64%. In the IT company, 78% of employees reported neck pain; and in the SMPO the prevalence was 40%. There were no significant differences in prevalence based on gender or age. All of the IT company computer users worked more than seven hours at their computers, while 38% of the SMPO workers did so. Chronic pain was present in 48%of the total sample. The ND10-H can be used to assess neck-related disability in Hindi-speaking individuals. It should be accompanied by a valid pain measure when assessing patient outcomes. The prevalence of neck pain is high in computer-using workers in India. / Thesis / Master of Science Rehabilitation Science (MSc) / 1. Translating a newly developed patient-report outcome measure of neck-related disability and testing its psychometric properties. 2. Estimating the prevalence of neck pain in computer-using workers. The first manuscript focusses on cross cultural translation and validation of ND10 (Neck difficulty10) that was designed to measure neck-related disability. A new English outcome measure for neck disability (ND10) was cross culturally translated and validated in computer users in India using forward and backward translation, and cognitive interviewing to determine a final version. The ND10-H demonstrated high reliability (ICC= 0.93) and convergent construct validity with the NDI and DASH (r= 0.78 and 0.86)