Summarizing the effects of different exercise types in chronic neck pain - a systematic review and meta-analysis of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: To date, no consensus exists as to whether one exercise type is more effective than another in chronic neck pain. This systematic review and meta-analysis of systematic reviews aimed to summarize the literature on the effect of various exercise types used in chronic neck pain and to assess the certainty of the evidence. METHODS: We searched the databases Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, SportDiscus, and Web of Science (Core Collection) for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on adults between 18 and 70 years with chronic neck pain lasting ≥ 12 weeks which investigated the effects of exercises on pain and disability. The included reviews were grouped into motor control exercise (MCE), Pilates exercises, resistance training, traditional Chinese exercise (TCE), and yoga. Study quality was assessed with AMSTAR-2 and the level of certainty for the effects of the exercise through GRADE. A narrative analysis of the results was performed and in addition, meta-analyses when feasible. RESULTS: Our database search resulted in 1,794 systematic reviews. We included 25 systematic reviews and meta-analyses including 17,321 participants (overlap not accounted for). The quality of the included reviews ranged from critically low to low (n = 13) to moderate to high (n = 12). We found low to high certainty of evidence that MCE, Pilates exercises, resistance training, TCE, and yoga have short-term positive effects on pain and that all exercise types except resistance training, show positive effects on disability compared to non-exercise controls. We found low to moderate certainty of evidence for conflicting results on pain and disability when the exercise types were compared to other exercise interventions in the short-term as well as in intermediate/long-term apart for yoga, as no long-term results were available. CONCLUSION: Overall, our findings show low to high certainty of evidence for positive effects on pain and disability of the various exercise types used in chronic neck pain compared to non-exercise interventions, at least in the short-term. Based on our results, no optimal exercise intervention for patients with chronic neck pain can be recommended, since no large differences between the exercise types were shown here. Because the quality of the included systematic reviews varied greatly, future systematic reviews need to increase their methodological quality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospero CRD42022336014.

Summarizing the effects of different exercise types in chronic low back pain - a systematic review of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: In chronic LBP (CLBP), guideline-endorsed treatment is to stay active, return to normal activity, and to exercise. Several reviews on various exercise types used in CLBP have been published. We aimed to identify systematic reviews of common exercise types used in CLBP, to appraise their quality, and to summarize and compare their effect on pain and disability. METHODS: We searched the databases OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE LIBRARY, and WEB OF SCIENCE (Core collection) for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on adults between 18 and 70 years of age suffering from chronic or recurrent LBP for a period of at least 12 weeks, which investigated the effects of exercises on pain and disability. All searches were conducted without language restriction. The search was performed up until 2022-01-26. The included reviews were grouped into nine exercise types: aerobic training, aquatic exercises, motor control exercises (MCE), resistance training, Pilates, sling exercises, traditional Chinese exercises (TCE), walking, and yoga. The study quality was assessed with AMSTAR-2. For each exercise type, a narrative analysis was performed, and the level of evidence for the effects of exercise was assessed through GRADE. RESULTS: Our database search resulted in 3,475 systematic reviews. Out of the 253 full texts that were screened, we included 45 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The quality of the included reviews ranged from high to critically low. Due to large heterogeneity, no meta-analyses were performed. We found low-to-moderate evidence of mainly short-term and small beneficial effects on pain and disability for MCE, Pilates, resistance training, TCE, and yoga compared to no or minimal intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the effect of various exercise types used in CLBP on pain and disability varies with no major difference between exercise types. Many of the included systematic reviews were of low-to-moderate quality and based on randomized controlled trials with high risk of bias. The conflicting results seen, undermine the certainty of the results leading to very-low-to-moderate quality of evidence for our results. Future systematic reviews should be of higher quality to minimize waste of resources. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: Reg no 190409 Registration date 01AUG 2020.

Work Ability After Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Followed by a Structured Postoperative Rehabilitation: Secondary Outcomes of a Prospective Randomized Controlled Multi-Centre Trial with a 2-year Follow-up.

Purpose Information on work ability after ACDF and postoperative rehabilitation is lacking. The aim of the present study is therefore to investigate the work ability benefits of a structured postoperative treatment (SPT) over a standard care approach (SA) in patients who underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) for cervical radiculopathy and factors important to the 2-year outcome. Methods Secondary outcome and prediction model of a prospective randomized controlled multi-centre study with a 2-year follow-up (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01547611). The Work Ability Index (WAI) and Work Ability Score (WAS) were measured at baseline and up to 2 years after ACDF in 154 patients of working age who underwent SPT or SA after surgery. Predictive factors for the WAI at 2 years were analysed. Results Both WAI and WAS significantly improved with SPT and SA (p < 0.001), without any between-group differences. Thoughts of being able to work within the next 6 months, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and work-related neck load explained 59% of the variance in WAI at the 2-year follow-up after ACDF. Conclusions Patients improved over time without group differences, suggesting the improvement to be surgery related. Expectation to work within the next 6 months, self-reported neck functioning and work-related neck load were important to work ability and are central factors to ask early after ACDF, to identifying further interventions promoting return to work.

The Effects of Neck-Specific Training Versus Prescribed Physical Activity on Pain and Disability in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a neck-specific training program to prescribed physical activity with both groups receiving a cognitive behavioral approach, on pain and disability in patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR). DESIGN: Parallel-group randomized clinical trial with follow-up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. SETTING: Recruitment and assessments of participants were performed at a university hospital. Interventions were performed in primary care setting at outpatient physiotherapy clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=144) with CR were recruited to participate in this clinical trial. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to 3 months of either of a neck-specific training program or prescribed physical activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes included self-rated neck and arm pain as collected by the visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes were self-rated headache measured with the VAS, the Neck Disability Index, the EuroQol 5D, the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up periods. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses showed no significant interaction (group × time) or group effects. There were, however, significant time effects indicating improvement over time for both groups for all outcomes except for levels of depression. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that neck-specific training as well as prescribed physical activity both including additional cognitive behavioral approach decreased the pain in patients with CR, that is, participants improved regardless of the intervention received. There is a lack of consensus of how to best manage individuals with CR. However, our findings suggest that CR has a natural favorable long-term outcome when patients are prescribed neck-specific training and exercise in combination with a behavioral approach.

Neck-Related Physical Function, Self-Efficacy, and Coping Strategies in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Postoperative Physiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative rehabilitation with structured physiotherapy to the standard approach in patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR) in a prospective randomized study at 6 months follow-up based on measures of neck-related physical function, self-efficacy, and coping strategies. METHODS: Patients with persistent CR and scheduled for surgery (N = 202) were randomly assigned to structured postoperative physiotherapy or a standard postoperative approach. Structured postoperative physiotherapy combined neck-specific exercises with a behavioral approach. Baseline, 3-month, and 6-month evaluations included questionnaires and clinical examinations. Neck muscle endurance, active cervical range of motion, self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing (CSQ-CAT), perceived control over pain, and ability to decrease pain were analyzed for between-group differences using complete case and per-protocol approaches. RESULTS: No between-group difference was reported at the 6-month follow-up (P = .05-.99), but all outcomes had improved from baseline (P < .001). Patients undergoing structured postoperative physiotherapy with ≥50% attendance at treatment sessions had larger improvements in CSQ-CAT (P = .04) during the rehabilitation period from 3 to 6 months after surgery compared with the patients who received standard postoperative approach. CONCLUSIONS: No between-group difference was found at 6 months after surgery based on measures of neck-related physical function, self-efficacy, and coping strategies. However, the results confirm that neck-specific exercises are tolerated by patients with CR after surgery and may suggest a benefit from combining surgery with structured postoperative physiotherapy for patients with CR.

Poststroke Physical Activity Levels No Higher in Rehabilitation than in the Acute Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Returning to physical activity is a common goal for stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation, and higher levels of activity have been linked to better gait and greater independence in activities of daily living. Our aim was to determine if inpatient rehabilitation settings promoted higher levels of physical activity in stroke survivors than an acute stroke unit setting. METHODS: Stroke survivors were recruited from the inpatient rehabilitation wards of 4 different hospitals in southern Sweden and from the acute stroke unit at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm. Participants were observed for 1 minute every 10 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. At each observation, the person's highest level of physical activity, location, and other people present were recorded. RESULTS: We collected data from 190 stroke survivors (104 rehabilitation, 86 acute). Contrary to our hypothesis, there was no significant difference between the groups in the amount of time spent in moderate-to-high physical activity (rehabilitation median 24%, acute median 23%; adjusted P = .74). Compared to those in the acute setting, participants in the rehabilitation setting spent less time lying in bed, more time sitting supported out of bed, less time in their bedroom, and more time with a therapist (all adjusted P < .001). CONCLUSION: In the context of stroke, the inpatient rehabilitation environment does not appear to promote higher levels of physical activity than the acute hospital environment.

The effect of 3 different exercise approaches on neck muscle endurance, kinesiophobia, exercise compliance, and patient satisfaction in chronic whiplash.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 different exercise approaches on neck muscle endurance (NME), kinesiophobia, exercise compliance, and patient satisfaction in patients with chronic whiplash. METHODS: This prospective randomized clinical trial included 216 individuals with chronic whiplash. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 exercise interventions: neck-specific exercise (NSE), NSE combined with a behavioral approach (NSEB), or prescribed physical activity (PPA). Measures of ventral and dorsal NME (endurance time in seconds), perceived pain after NME testing, kinesiophobia, exercise compliance, and patient satisfaction were recorded at baseline and at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. RESULTS: Compared with individuals in the prescribed physical activity group, participants in the NSE and NSEB groups exhibited greater gains in dorsal NME (P = .003), greater reductions in pain after NME testing (P = .03), and more satisfaction with treatment (P < .001). Kinesiophobia and exercise compliance did not significantly differ between groups (P > .07). CONCLUSION: Among patients with chronic whiplash, a neck-specific exercise intervention (with or without a behavioral approach) appears to improve NME. Participants were more satisfied with intervention including neck-specific exercises than with the prescription of general exercise.

Endurance and fatigue characteristics in the neck muscles during sub-maximal isometric test in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare myoelectric manifestation in neck muscle endurance and fatigue characteristics during sub-maximal isometric endurance test in patients with cervical radiculopathy and asymptomatic subjects. An additional aim was to explore associations between primary neck muscle endurance, myoelectric fatigability, and self-rated levels of fatigue, pain and subjective health measurements in patients with cervical radiculopathy. METHODS: Muscle fatigue in the ventral and dorsal neck muscles was assessed in patients with cervical radiculopathy and in an asymptomatic group during an isometric neck muscle endurance test in prone and supine. 46 patients and 34 asymptomatic subjects participated. Surface electromyography signals were recorded from the sternocleidomastoid, cervical paraspinal muscles and upper and middle trapezius bilaterally during the endurance test. Subjective health measurements were assessed with questionnaires. RESULTS: The results showed altered neck muscle endurance in several of the muscles investigated with greater negative median frequency slope, greater variability, side imbalance, lower endurance time and higher experience of fatigue among the cervical radiculopathy patients compared with healthy subjects. Endurance times were significantly lower in both prone and in supine positions between the patients compared to asymptomatic subjects. During the neck muscle endurance test, fatigues in the upper trapezius muscles during the prone test and in the sternocleidomastoid muscles during the supine test were of more importance than self-perceived pain, fatigue, disability and kinesiophobia in predicting neck muscle endurance (NME). CONCLUSION: NME testing in the primary neck muscles seems to be an important factor to take into consideration in rehabilitation.

Individual factors associated with neck disability in patients with cervical radiculopathy scheduled for surgery: a study on physical impairments, psychosocial factors, and life style habits.

PURPOSE: The influence of individual factors on patient-reported outcomes is important in the interpretation of disability and treatment effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to assess how physical impairments, psychosocial factors, and life style habits were associated with neck disability based on the Neck Disability Index (NDI), in patients with cervical radiculopathy scheduled for surgery. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 201 patients (105 men, 96 women; mean age 50 years). Data included self-reported measures and a clinical examination. Multiple linear regressions were performed to identify significant influencing factors. RESULTS: Pain, physical impairments in the cervical active range of motion, low self-efficacy, depression, and sickness-related absences explained 73% of the variance in NDI scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Assessments of physical impairments and psychosocial factors in patients with cervical radiculopathy could improve the description of neck disability and the interpretation of treatment outcomes in longitudinal studies.

Neck-specific training with a cognitive behavioural approach compared with prescribed physical activity in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a protocol of a prospective randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cervical radiculopathy often have neck- and arm pain, neurological changes, activity limitations and difficulties in returning to work. Most patients are not candidates for surgery but are often treated with different conservative approaches and may be sick-listed for long periods. The purpose of the current study is to compare the effectiveness of neck-specific training versus prescribed physical activity. METHODS/DESIGN: The current protocol is a two armed intervention randomised clinical trial comparing the outcomes of patients receiving neck specific training or prescribed physical activity. A total of 144 patients with cervical radiculopathy will be randomly allocated to either of the two interventions. The interventions will be delivered by experienced physiotherapists and last 14 weeks. The primary outcome variable is neck- and arm pain intensity measured with a Visual Analogue Scale accompanied with secondary outcome measures of impairments and subjective health measurements collected before intervention and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after base-line assessment. DISCUSSION: We anticipate that the results of this study will provide evidence to support recommendations as to the effectiveness of conservative interventions for patients with cervical radiculopathy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01831271.

Outcome of physiotherapy after surgery for cervical disc disease: a prospective randomised multi-centre trial.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with cervical disc disease require leave from work, due to long-lasting, complex symptoms, including chronic pain and reduced levels of physical and psychological function. Surgery on a few segmental levels might be expected to resolve disc-specific pain and reduce neurological deficits, but not the non-specific neck pain and the frequent illness. No study has investigated whether post-surgery physiotherapy might improve the outcome of surgery. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a well-structured rehabilitation programme might add benefit to the customary post-surgical treatment for cervical disc disease, with respect to function, disability, work capability, and cost effectiveness. METHODS/DESIGN: This study was designed as a prospective, randomised, controlled, multi-centre study. An independent, blinded investigator will compare two alternatives of rehabilitation. We will include 200 patients of working age, with cervical disc disease confirmed by clinical findings and symptoms of cervical nerve root compression. After providing informed consent, study participants will be randomised to one of two alternative physiotherapy regimes; (A) customary treatment (information and advice on a specialist clinic); or (B) customary treatment plus active physiotherapy. Physiotherapy will follow a standardised, structured programme of neck-specific exercises combined with a behavioural approach. All patients will be evaluated both clinically and subjectively (with questionnaires) before surgery and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after surgery. The main outcome variable will be neck-specific disability. Cost-effectiveness will also be calculated. DISCUSSION: We anticipate that the results of this study will provide evidence to support physiotherapeutic rehabilitation applied after surgery for cervical radiculopathy due to cervical disc disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01547611.

Function in patients with cervical radiculopathy or chronic whiplash-associated disorders compared with healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to examine whether any differences in function and health exist between patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR) due to disk disease scheduled for surgery and patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) and to compare measures of patients' physical function with those obtained from healthy volunteers. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of patients with CR (n = 198) and patients with chronic WAD (n = 215). Patient data were compared with raw data previously obtained from healthy people. Physical measures included cervical active range of motion, neck muscle endurance, and hand grip strength. Self-rated measures included pain intensity (visual analog scale), neck disability (Neck Disability Index), self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy Scale), and health-related quality of life (EuroQol 5-dimensional self-classifier). RESULTS: Patient groups exhibited significantly lower performance than the healthy group in all physical measures (P < .0005) except for neck muscle endurance in flexion for women (P > .09). There was a general trend toward worse results in the CR group than the WAD group, with significant differences in neck active range of motion, left hand strength for women, pain intensity, Neck Disability Index, EuroQol 5-dimensional self-classifier, and Self-Efficacy Scale (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients had worse values than healthy individuals in almost all physical measures. There was a trend toward worse results for CR than WAD patients.

The effect of neck-specific exercise and prescribed physical activity on headache and dizziness in individuals with cervical radiculopathy: Further analyses of a randomized study with a 1-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of neck-specific exercise (NSE) compared to prescribed physical activity (PPA) on headache and dizziness in individuals with cervical radiculopathy (CR). Also, to investigate associations between headache or dizziness and pain, neck muscle endurance (NME), neck mobility, physical activity, and fear avoidance beliefs. METHODS: Individuals randomized to either NSE or PPA were selected to a headache subgroup (n = 59) and/or a dizziness subgroup (n = 73). Data were evaluated, according to headache and/or dizziness outcomes at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS: No significant between-group differences were found between NSE and PPA in either subgroup. In the headache subgroup, significant within-group improvements were seen at all follow-ups for NSE (p < .001) and from baseline to 3 (p = .037) and 12 (p = .003) months for PPA. For dizziness, significant within-group improvements were seen from baseline to 3 months for NSE (p = .021) and from baseline to 3 (p = .001) and 6 (p = .044) months for PPA. Multiple regression models showed significant associations at baseline between headache intensity and neck pain (adjusted R-square = 0.35, p < .001), and for dizziness with neck pain and dorsal NME (adjusted R-square = 0.34, p < .001). CONCLUSION: NSE and PPA show similar improvements in headache intensity and dizziness in individuals with CR. Headache intensity is associated with neck pain, and dizziness with neck pain and dorsal NME, highlighting the importance of these factors when evaluating headache and dizziness.

Effects of neck-specific exercise with or without a behavioural approach in addition to prescribed physical activity for individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: a prospective randomised study.

BACKGROUND: Up to 50% of chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD) patients experience considerable pain and disability and remain on sick-leave. No evidence supports the use of physiotherapy treatment of chronic WAD, although exercise is recommended. Previous randomised controlled studies did not evaluate the value of adding a behavioural therapy intervention to neck-specific exercises, nor did they compare these treatments to prescription of general physical activity. Few exercise studies focus on patients with chronic WAD, and few have looked at patients' ability to return to work and the cost-effectiveness of treatments. Thus, there is a great need to develop successful evidence-based rehabilitation models. The study aim is to investigate whether neck-specific exercise with or without a behavioural approach (facilitated by a single caregiver per patient) improves functioning compared to prescription of general physical activity for individuals with chronic WAD. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is a prospective, randomised, controlled, multi-centre study with a 2-year follow-up that includes 216 patients with chronic WAD (> 6 months and < 3 years). The patients (aged 18 to 63) must be classified as WAD grade 2 or 3. Eligibility will be determined with a questionnaire, telephone interview and clinical examination. The participants will be randomised into one of three treatments: (A) neck-specific exercise followed by prescription of physical activity; (B) neck-specific exercise with a behavioural approach followed by prescription of physical activity; or (C) prescription of physical activity alone without neck-specific exercises. Treatments will be performed for 3 months. We will examine physical and psychological function, pain intensity, health care consumption, the ability to resume work and economic health benefits. An independent, blinded investigator will perform the measurements at baseline and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after inclusion. The main study outcome will be improvement in neck-specific disability as measured with the Neck Disability Index. All treatments will be recorded in treatment diaries and medical records. DISCUSSION: The study findings will help improve the treatment of patients with chronic WAD. TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01528579.

Neurological outcomes after surgery and postoperative rehabilitation for cervical radiculopathy due to disc disease: a 2-year-follow-up of a randomized clinical trial.

Reports on neurological outcomes in patients with cervical radiculopathy (CR) undergoing surgery and postoperative rehabilitation are important to inform prognosis. This 2-year-follow-up of a randomized clinical trial aimed to compare secondary neurological outcomes between structured postoperative rehabilitation and a standard approach after surgery for CR. A secondary aim was to increase knowledge about recovery of neurological impairments in relation to patient-reported neck disability. Neurological outcomes included assessment of sensibility, motor function, arm reflexes and the Spurling test. A total of 153 and 135 participants (> 70% response rate) completed the clinical examination. Between-group differences, changes over time, and associations between persistent neurological impairments and the Neck Disability Index were investigated. No between-group differences were reported (p > 0.07), and neurological impairments in sensibility, motor function, and a positive Spurling test decreased over time in both groups (p < 0.04). Persistent impairments in sensibility and reflex arm were most frequent at follow-up, whereas, a persistent positive Spurling test, and impairments in motor function were associated with higher NDI score. Neurological outcomes improved over time in patients undergoing surgery for CR with no between-group differences., However, persistent neurological impairments were common, and associated with poorer outcome for patient-reported neck disability.Clinical registration: clinicaltrial.gov NCT01547611, 08/03/2012, Title: Outcome of physiotherapy after surgery for cervical disc disease: a prospective multi-centre trial.

Dizziness and balance outcomes after two different postoperative rehabilitation approaches following neck surgery: analyses of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dizziness and balance problems are common symptoms in patients with cervical radiculopathy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of neck surgery postoperatively combined with either structured rehabilitation or standard approach in patients with cervical radiculopathy and dizziness and/or balance problems, and investigate factors influencing dizziness and balance at 6-month follow-up. METHODS: Individuals (n = 149) with cervical radiculopathy and dizziness and/or balance problems were randomized preoperatively to structured postoperative rehabilitation or standard postoperative approach. Outcomes were intensity of dizziness and subjective balance, and clinical measures of balance. RESULTS: Self-reported measures improved at three months (p ˂ 0.001 to p = .007) and the standing balance at six months (p = .008). No between-group differences. Baseline values, neck pain, and physical activity level explained 23-39% of the variance in 6-month outcomes for self-reported measures. Baseline values and physical activity level explained 71% of the variance in walking balance, and lower baseline scores were significantly associated with standing balance impairments (OR 0.876). CONCLUSION: Patients improved significantly in dizziness and subjective balance intensity shortly after surgery, and in standing balance at 6 months, independent of postoperative rehabilitation. Neck pain, physical activity, and neck muscle function influenced dizziness and balance, although preoperative values and neck pain were of most importance for 6-month outcomes.

Lumbar muscle fatigue and subjective health measurements in patients with lumbar disc herniation 2 years after surgery.

INTRODUCTION: In this prospective study the purpose was to evaluate patients with lumbar-disc herniation regarding changes in back-muscle fatigue and subjective health measurements 2 years after surgery. METHODS: Endurance time, EMG median frequency and ratings of lumbar-muscle fatigue and pain were measured before surgery, 4 weeks after and 2 years after surgery in 26 patients (19 men and 7 women) with lumbar-disc herniation. A modified Sørensen test was performed with concurrent recordings of electromyography from the lumbar muscles at four recording sites. The questionnaires Oswestry disability index, Roland-Morris disability questionnaire, Self-efficacy scale, SF-36, Back beliefs questionnaire, Odom and a 6-grade physical activity scale were used. RESULTS: Two years after surgery the patients had longer endurance times (increase from 178 s to 231 s, p < 0.001), a non-significant tendency for flatter L5 slopes (decrease from -0.20 to -0.16 Hz/s, p < 0.066), higher initial median frequency (L1 increase from 58 to 64 Hz p < 0.001, L5 increase from 76 to 84 Hz p = 0.001) and improved questionnaire scores. The questionnaires Oswestry, Roland-Morris and SF-36 physical functioning correlated with the endurance time 0.69-0.93 and with L5 slope 0.01-0.93 and the highest correlations were found in women. CONCLUSION: Both EMG and endurance time measurements are needed for evaluating fatigue in lumbar-disc herniation.

Classification criteria for cervical radiculopathy: An international e-Delphi study.

BACKGROUND: Establishing a set of uniform classification criteria (CC) for cervical radiculopathy (CR) is required to aid future recruitment of homogenous populations to clinical trials. OBJECTIVES: To establish expert informed consensus on CC for CR. DESIGN: A pre-defined four round e-Delphi study in accordance with the guidance on Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies. METHODS: Individuals with a background in physiotherapy who had authored two or more peer-reviewed publications on CR were invited to participate. The initial round asked opinions on CC for CR. Content analysis was performed on round one output and a list of discrete items were generated forming the round two survey. In rounds two to four, participants were asked to rate the level of importance of each item on a six-point Likert scale. Data were analysed descriptively using median, interquartile range and percentage agreement. Items reaching pre-defined consensus criteria were carried forward to the next round. Items remaining after the fourth round constituted expert consensus on CC for CR. RESULTS: Twelve participants participated with one drop out. The final round identified one inclusion CC and 12 exclusion CC. The inclusion CC that remained achieved 82% agreement and was a cluster criterion consisting of radicular pain with arm pain worse than neck pain; paraesthesia or numbness and/or weakness and/or altered reflex; MRI confirmed nerve root compression compatible with clinical findings. CONCLUSIONS: The CC identified can be used to inform eligibility criteria for future CR trials although caution should be practiced as consensus on measurement tools requires further investigation.

Mechanisms of recovery after neck-specific or general exercises in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms of action that facilitate improved outcomes after conservative rehabilitation are unclear in individuals with cervical radiculopathy (CR). This study aims to determine the pathways of recovery of disability with different exercise programs in individuals with CR. METHODS: We analysed a dataset of 144 individuals with CR undergoing conservative rehabilitation. Eleven variables collected at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up were used to build a Bayesian Network (BN) model: treatment group (neck-specific vs. general exercises), age, sex, self-efficacy, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, anxiety, neck-arm pain intensity, headache pain intensity and disability. The model was used to quantify the contribution of different mediating pathways on the outcome of disability at 12th months. RESULTS: All modelled variables were conditionally independent from treatment groups. A one-point increase in anxiety at 3rd month was associated with a 2.45-point increase in 12th month disability (p <.001). A one-point increase in head pain at 3rd month was associated with a 0.08-point increase in 12th month disability (p <.001). Approximately 83% of the effect of anxiety on disability was attributable to self-efficacy. Approximately 88% of the effect of head pain on disability was attributable to neck-arm pain. CONCLUSIONS: No psychological or pain-related variables mediated the different treatment programs with respect to the outcome of disability. Thus, the specific characteristics investigated in this study did not explain the differences in mechanisms of effect between neck-specific training and prescribed physical activity. The present study provides candidate modifiable mediators that could be the target of future intervention trials. SIGNIFICANCE: Psychological and pain characteristics did not differentially explain the mechanism of effect that two exercise regimes had on disability in individuals with cervical radiculopathy. In addition, we found that improvements in self-efficacy was approximately five times more important than that of neck-arm pain intensity in mediating the anxiety-disability relationship. A mechanistic understanding of recovery provides candidate modifiable mediators that could be the target of future intervention trials. TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01547611.

Larger pain extent is associated with greater pain intensity and disability but not with general health status or psychosocial features in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

ABSTRACT: Pain as a result of cervical radiculopathy (CR) can be widespread, nondermatomal and individually specific, but the association between pain extent and other clinical features has never been explored. The objective of this study is to investigate whether pain extent relates to clinical variables including pain intensity in addition to health indicators including disability, general health, depression, somatic anxiety, coping strategies or self-efficacy.An observational cohort study was conducted. Participants were recruited from 4 hospital spinal centres in Sweden. Pain extent was quantified from the pain drawings of 190 individuals with cervical disc disease, verified with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compatible with clinical findings (examined by a neurosurgeon), that show cervical nerve root compression. Pain extent was evaluated in relation to neck pain, arm pain, and headache intensity. Multiple linear regression analysis were then used to verify whether pain extent was associated with other health indicators including disability, health-related quality of life, depression, somatic anxiety, coping strategies and self-efficacy.Pain extent was directly related to neck, arm and headache pain intensity (all P < .01). Multiple linear regression revealed that pain extent was significantly associated only to the level of perceived disability (P < .01).Increased pain extent in people with CR is associated with higher headache, neck and arm pain intensity, and disability but not measures of general health, depression, somatic anxiety, coping strategies or self-efficacy.