A functional intervention within a cognitive approach to chronic cervical radiculopathy : Description of the non-surgical treatment arm in a randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of surgery.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with cervical radiculopathy improve within the first months without treatment or with non-surgical treatment. A systematic review concluded that these patients improve, regardless of their intervention. Still, many patients are offered surgery, despite limited evidence regarding the indications for surgical treatments. The aim of this article is to describe the intervention that is going to be followed in the non-surgical treatment arm of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the effectiveness of surgical and non-surgical treatment for patients with cervical radiculopathy. METHODS: The non-surgical intervention is a functional intervention within a cognitive approach founded on previous experiences, and current recommendations for best practice care of musculoskeletal pain and cervical radiculopathy. It is based on the biopsychosocial rather than a biomedical perspective, comprises an interdisciplinary approach (physicians, physiotherapy specialists), and includes brief intervention and graded activities. The intervention consists of 6 sessions over 12 weeks. The primary goals are first, to validate the patients´ symptoms and build a therapeutic alliance, second, to explore the understanding and promote alternatives, and third, to explore problems and opportunities based on patients´ symptoms and function. Motivational factors toward self-management are challenging. We will attempt shared decision-making in planning progress for the individual patient and emphasise learning of practical self-help strategies and encouragement to stay active (reinforcing the positive natural course). General physical activities such as walking will be promoted along with simple functional exercises for the neck- and shoulder region. We will also explore social activity, comorbidities, pain location, sleep, and work-related factors. The health providers will set individualised goals together with each patient. DISCUSSION: The aim of the intervention is to describe a functional intervention within a cognitive approach for patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy. The effectiveness of the present program will be compared to surgery in a randomised controlled trial.

Relationships between stenosis severity, functional limitation, pain, and quality of life in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Background/aim: This study aimed to examine the relationships between severity of stenosis, pain, functional limitation, disability, and quality of life in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Materials and methods: Patients (45 female, 19 male) with radiculopathy due to spondylotic changes in the cervical spine were included in this study. Stenosis severity (thecal sac cross-sectional area (CSA)), numbness, neck and arm pain severity, functional limitation (Cervical Radiculopathy Impact Scale), disability, and quality of life (EQ-5D-3L General Quality of Life Scale) were evaluated. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT06001359. Results: According to CSA values, 28 (43.75%) patients had severe stenosis and 36 (56.25%) had moderate stenosis, and the average CSA was 81.65 ± 10.08 mm2. Positive correlations were found between both neck and arm pain and neck disability (r = 0.597, r = 0.359), and negative correlations were found for the General Quality of Life Scale index score and EQ-5D-3L visual analog scale (r = -0.787, r = -0.518). There were significant positive correlations between Cervical Radiculopathy Impact Scale subscales and severity of stenosis, neck and arm pain, numbness, and disability (p < 0.05 for all). A significant negative correlation was observed between Cervical Radiculopathy Impact Scale subscales and quality of life (p < 0.01). Stenosis severity was correlated with pain, neck disability, and quality of life (p < 0.01 for all). Conclusion: There are direct relationships between cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and neck and arm pain, numbness, disability, and quality of life. Additionally, an increase in the severity of cervical stenosis is associated with an increase in pain and disability.

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.

Patients' beliefs about diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy.

BACKGROUND: The clinical results of surgical spine care may be influenced by the patients' understanding and knowledge of his or her condition, treatment options and decision-making process. The aim of this survey study was to evaluate certain beliefs and opinions of patients with a degenerative condition in the cervical spine with a history of cervical radiculopathy such as importance of magnetic resonance imaging, risk factors, treatment alternatives and effectiveness. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire survey was performed on two different patient populations with a degenerative condition in the cervical spine with a history of cervical radiculopathy referred to the outpatients' clinics of two neurosurgical departments in Germany and Norway. The survey consisted of seven questions: four questions about the respondents' gender and age, history of previous spine surgery and/or conservative treatment for cervical disorder and three questions regarding the importance of imaging in the decision-making process, patients' willingness to undergo cervical surgery based on imaging findings even with few or no symptoms and the effectiveness of surgical or conservative treatment. RESULTS: Two hundred eleven patients answered the questionnaire. Sixty-seven percent of all patients with a degenerative cervical condition believe that results from MRI studies are more important than clinical findings. Forty-seven percent were willing to undergo surgery based on MRI showing abnormalities even without or having few symptoms. Fifty percent believe that surgery is more effective in the treatment of axial neck pain. CONCLUSION: Misbeliefs and misconceptions exist concerning certain aspects of the diagnosis and management in patients with degenerative conditions in the cervical spine with a history of cervical radiculopathy in a large proportion of patients referred to neurosurgical outpatient clinics.

Jules Tinel (1879-1952): Beyond the eponym, the man and his forgotten neurological contributions.

The trauma of World War I had a lasting impact on clinician and physiologist Jules Tinel (1879-1952). His treatment of peripheral nervous system injuries led him, in 1917, to describe the eponymous sign that he linked to activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Among the sequelae of nerve injuries, he was confronted with causalgia that he attributed, here again, to the autonomic nervous system, the main focus of his laboratory research throughout his career. Tinel's sign became so well known that it eclipsed the originality of his seminal descriptions of exertional headache and of hypertensive emergency caused by pheochromocytoma, which could also have been associated with his name. He was always able to marry his clinical practice of neurology and psychiatric consultations with his anatomicopathological, physiological and pathophysiological research, which was based on his daily practice as a physician. At the same time, he directed the work of numerous assistants in his research laboratory, which has since been unjustly forgotten. Several hundreds of scientific publications, including three seminal works, bear witness to his intense activity, which he combined with a genuine talent for teaching and making his findings accessible to a wider public. Those publications alone would fully justify the historical value of extending his renown beyond the existing eponym.

Outcome prediction in chronic unilateral lumbar radiculopathy: prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Identification of prognostic factors for persistent pain and disability are important for better understanding of the clinical course of chronic unilateral lumbar radiculopathy and to assist clinical decision-making. There is a lack of scientific evidence concerning prognostic factors. The aim of this study was to identify clinically relevant predictors for outcome at 52 weeks. METHODS: 116 patients were included in a sham controlled clinical trial on epidural injection of glucocorticoids in patients with chronic unilateral lumbar radiculopathy. Success at follow-up was ≤ 17.5 for visual analogue scale (VAS) leg pain, ≤ 22.5 for VAS back pain and ≤ 20 for Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Fifteen clinically relevant variables included demographic, psychosocial, clinical and radiological data and were analysed using a logistic multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: At follow-up, 75 (64.7%) patients had reached a successful outcome with an ODI score ≤ 20, 54 (46.6%) with a VAS leg pain score ≤ 17.5, and 47 (40.5%) with a VAS back pain score ≤ 22.5. Lower age (OR 0.94 (CI 0.89-0.99) for each year decrease in age) and FABQ Work ≥ 34 (OR 0.16 (CI 0.04-0.61)) were independent variables predicting a successful outcome on the ODI. Higher education (OR 5.77 (CI 1.46-22.87)) and working full-time (OR 2.70 (CI 1.02-7.18)) were statistically significant (P <0.05) independent predictors for successful outcome (VAS score ≤ 17.5) on the measure of leg pain. Lower age predicted success on ODI (OR 0.94 (95% CI 0.89 to 0.99) for each year) and less back pain (OR 0.94 (0.90 to 0.99)), while higher education (OR 5.77 (1.46 to 22.87)), working full-time (OR 2.70 (1.02 to 7.18)) and muscle weakness at baseline (OR 4.11 (1.24 to 13.61) predicted less leg pain, and reflex impairment at baseline predicted the contrary (OR 0.39 (0.15 to 0.97)). CONCLUSIONS: Lower age, higher education, working full-time and low fear avoidance beliefs each predict a better outcome of chronic unilateral lumbar radiculopathy. Specifically, lower age and low fear avoidance predict a better functional outcome and less back pain, while higher education and working full-time predict less leg pain. These results should be validated in further studies before being used to inform patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12574253 . Registered 18 May 2005.

A Novel Nitronyl Nitroxide with Salicylic Acid Framework Attenuates Pain Hypersensitivity and Ectopic Neuronal Discharges in Radicular Low Back Pain.

Evidence has accumulated that reactive oxygen species and inflammation play crucial roles in the development of chronic pain, including radicular low back pain. Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example, salicylic acid, aspirin, provided analgesic effects in various types of pain. However, long-term use of these drugs causes unwanted side effects, which limits their implication. Stable nitronyl (NIT) nitroxide radicals have been extensively studied as a unique and interesting class of new antioxidants for protection against oxidative damage. The present study synthesized a novel NIT nitroxide radical with salicylic acid framework (SANR) to provide synergistic effect of both antioxidation and antiinflammation. We demonstrated for the first time that both acute and repeated SANR treatment exerted dramatic analgesic effect in radicular low back pain mimicked by chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion in rats. This analgesic potency was more potent than that produced by classical NSAIDs aspirin and traditional nitroxide radical Tempol alone. Furthermore, SANR-induced behavioral analgesia is found to be mediated, at least in partial, by a reduction of ectopic spontaneous discharges in injured DRG neurons. Therefore, the synthesized NIT nitroxide radical coupling with salicylic acid framework may represent a novel potential therapeutic candidate for treatment of chronic pain, including radicular low back pain.

[Quality of life assessment in patients with spinal radicular syndromes]. / Ocena jakosci zycia pacjentów z zespolami korzeniowymi.

UNLABELLED: Spinal radicular syndromes are a serious healthcare issue in the society nowadays. A common form of ailments related to the syndromes is sciatica, manifesting with severe pain radiating along the course of the sciatic nerve or brachialgia manifesting with severe pain perceived from the cervical spine area, through the arm and often along the entire upper limb to the fingers. In many patients the pain limits the ability to perform daily routine at work and at home. AIM: The aim of study was to assess the quality of life in patients with radicular pain and its influence on their ability to function in daily life and at work. The Quality of Life Index was also determined for physical and mental health in the study group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study covered 50 patients, both male and female (25 women with age average 51 and 25 men with age average 54) suffering from medically documented spinal radicular syndromes. The Quality of life SF-36 questionnaire - Short Form Health Survey was used in the study, along with a supplement specifying the study group, with an indication of the pain location and the patients' occupations. Additionally, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire - RM and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were applied. The results were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, tests of significance of differences between the two populations, covariance analysis, and correlation meters. RESULTS: In the female patients suffering from spinal radicular syndromes, the pathological process was most commonly located in the cervical spine, while in the male patients - in the lumbar spine. The Quality of Life index, at a statistically significant level (α < 0,05), is higher (hence the quality of life is lower) in females suffering from radicular pain. In the study group, age was a factor strongly correlated with the intensity of pain - the ailment progresses with age. In both groups, exacerbation of the disease process associated with spinal radicular syndromes hindered work performance and daily routines of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ailments associated with spinal radicular syndromes affect the quality of life of the female patients studied in this research to a greater extent than the male patients, both in terms of mental and physical well-being. The intensity of pain associated with spinal radicular syndromes progresses with age.

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.

Differences in risk factors for flare-ups in patients with lumbar radicular pain may depend on the definition of flare.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine whether specific physical activity (PA) or psychological stress factors are associated with different definitions of flare-ups (pain-defined flares [PDFs]: periods of increased pain lasting at least 2 h, when pain intensity is distinctly worse than it has been recently; and non-pain-defined flares [NPDFs]: obviously uncomfortable feelings, such as fatigue, loss of function, or emotional/psychosocial fluctuations, without major fluctuations in pain intensity based on 11-point scales) among people with lumbar radicular pain. METHODS: This was a case-crossover study. Participants with acute or subacute lumbar radicular pain completed serial face-to-face or online assessments for 6 weeks at 3-day intervals to determine whether they experienced sciatica flare-ups (PDF/NPDF) after specific types of PA or psychological stresses. RESULTS: A total of 152 participants were enroled. There were 597 PDF and 323 NPDF case periods and 800 control periods. The odds of PDFs were increased by prolonged walking and standing, and the odds of NPDFs were increased by prolonged sitting, mental distress, and depressed mood. According to the multivariable analyses, prolonged sitting (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.7-5.5), prolonged walking (OR: 6.2, 95% CI: 3.9-9.9), and prolonged standing (OR: 5.6, 95% CI: 3.3-9.5) were significantly associated with the odds of PDFs, and prolonged sitting (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.8-6.2), mental distress (OR: 6.7, 95% CI: 2.5-17.5), and depressed mood (OR: 5.8, 95% CI: 2.6-12.8) associated with the odds of NPDFs. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged sitting, walking, and standing triggered the occurrence of PDF. Prolonged sitting, mental distress, and depressed mood triggered the occurrence of NPDF.

Efficacy of intensive cervical traction on depression, insomnia, and quality of life in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

BACKGROUND: Radiculopathy can cause pain and numbness along a pinched nerve. OBJECTIVE: To investigate how people with cervical radiculopathy respond to intense cervical traction in terms of depression, sleeplessness, and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Two equal groups of forty male patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy were randomly assigned. In addition to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and other treatments, twenty individuals in group I received mechanical cervical traction. Group II consisted of twenty individuals who received only TENS treatment. Before and after treatment, every participant completed the Arabic versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: While there was no significant difference in group II, there was a significant decline in group I visual analog scale (P = 0.001), depression subscale of the hospital anxiety and depression score (P = 0.001), and ISI (P = 0.001). Eight domains of SF-36 showed a significant increase in group I. These domains included physical functioning (P = 0.001), role limitations due to physical health (P = 0.001), role limitations due to emotional problems (P = 0.001), and energy (P = 0.001). In group II, there was a non-significant increase nevertheless. CONCLUSION: Cervical traction improved individuals' QoL, depression, and insomnia, suggesting the effectiveness of it with TENS for cervical radiculopathy patients.

Changes in electromyographic results of patients with lumbar radiculopathy: a follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the neurophysiologic changes in a group of patients with lumbar radiculopathy 5 to 12 months after their first electromyographic examination. DESIGN: A prospective group of patients with a case definition of lumbar radiculopathy was reassessed between 5 and 12 months after their first clinical, functional, imaging, and neurophysiologic evaluation. Both the lumbar paraspinals (in which the mini-mapping technique was used) and the same lower limb muscles were explored in every patient. Relevant abnormalities were (1) positive sharp waves/fibrillation potentials, (2) polyphasic motor unit potentials, and (3) large-amplitude/long-duration motor unit potentials. Patients were sorted into 5 groups based on the type and distribution of neurophysiologic abnormalities: from 0 (no abnormalities) to 4 (denervation signs in 2 lower limb muscles and paraspinals). Patients' subjective perception of any improvement or worsening of their condition was also recorded. SETTING: A referral center for neurophysiologic evaluation. PARTICIPANTS: A consecutive sample of patients (N=91) with a clinical definition of lumbar radiculopathy (lumbar pain radiating down the leg and below the knee) referred for neurophysiologic assessment was selected for an initial clinical, functional, and neurophysiologic evaluation. Patients were called for a second evaluation (between 5 and 12mo). Thirty-eight (42% of the initial sample) were willing/eligible for the second evaluation. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in (1) electromyographic results; (2) patients' subjective perception of pain; and (3) quality of life, based on the Roland-Morris Questionnaire and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey scores. RESULTS: Paraspinal muscles were most frequently affected. Neurophysiologic abnormalities had improved on reassessment. Clinical improvement was more significant for those patients with initially abnormal electromyographic results. CONCLUSIONS: There was clinical as well as electromyographic improvement in patients with lumbar radiculopathy within the first year of the initial diagnosis.

Psychologic and biologic factors associated with fatigue in patients with persistent radiculopathy.

Fatigue is a common symptom associated with neuropathic pain (NP) and can have negative consequences on psychosocial functioning, physical endurance, and quality of life. Recent evidence indicates that immune activation modulated through the increased release of proinflammatory cytokines can predict fatigue in some patient populations. Although earlier studies have shown that immune activation is a pathophysiologic feature of NP, there have been no studies to examine the relationship between immune activation and fatigue in persons with NP. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory study was to: 1) determine the relationships among fatigue, pain, psychosocial factors, and selected biologic markers of immune activation (interleukin [IL] 6 and soluble IL-6 receptor [sIL-6R]) in participants with persistent radiculopathy; and 2) determine the differences in these variables based on fatigue severity. Participants (n = 80) were classified according to their level of fatigue as low (27.5%), moderate (32.5%), or high (40%), and significant differences were found between fatigue categories (p = .001). Multivariate analyses of variance revealed that individuals with moderate to high levels of fatigue differed from those with the lowest levels of fatigue in psychologic distress, depressive symptoms, IL-6, and sIL-6R, whereas the differences between moderate and high levels of fatigue were significant for psychologic distress and sIL-6R only. The findings suggest that immune activation affects fatigue severity and possibly other behavioral responses, offering important information when providing care to patients with persistent radiculopathy. The integration of biobehavioral nursing interventions in pain management may have a greater impact on quality of life than treatment focused only on pain.

Patients with low back pain differ from those who also have leg pain or signs of nerve root involvement - a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Leg pain associated with low back pain (LBP) is recognized as a risk factor for a poor prognosis, and is included as a component in most LBP classification systems. The location of leg pain relative to the knee and the presence of a positive straight leg raise test have been suggested to have clinical implications. To understand differences between such leg pain subgroups, and whether differences include potentially modifiable characteristics, the purpose of this paper was to describe characteristics of patients classified into the Quebec Task Force (QTF) subgroups of: 1) LBP only, 2) LBP and pain above the knee, 3) LBP and pain below the knee, and 4) LBP and signs of nerve root involvement. METHODS: Analysis of routine clinical data from an outpatient department. Based on patient reported data and clinical findings, patients were allocated to the QTF subgroups and described according to the domains of pain, activity limitation, work participation, psychology, general health and clinical examination findings. RESULTS: A total of 2,673 patients aged 18-95 years (median 47) who were referred for assessment of LBP were included. Increasing severity was consistently observed across the subgroups from LBP only to LBP with signs of nerve root involvement although subgroup differences were small. LBP patients with leg pain differed from those with LBP only on a wide variety of parameters, and patients with signs of nerve root involvement had a more severe profile on almost all measures compared with other patients with back-related leg pain. CONCLUSION: LBP patients with pain referral to the legs were more severely affected than those with local LBP, and patients with signs of nerve root involvement were the ones most severily affected. These findings underpin the concurrent validity of the Quebec Task Force Classification. However, the small size of many between-subgroup differences amid the large variability in this sample of cross-sectional data also underlines that the heterogeneity of patients with LBP is more complex than that which can be explained by leg pain patterns alone. The implications of the observed differences also require investigation in longitudinal studies.

[Status of the autonomic nervous system and its correction in complex treatment of patients with occupational cervical dorsopathy].

The authors studied features of vegetative regulation in patients with occupational cervical dorsopathy and specified differentiated rehabilitation programs proved to be more efficient than the conventional treatment.

[Using transcranial electric stimulation in patients with occupational disorders of the nervous system].

The paper presents the results of transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) in treating patients with vibration disease and occupational lumbosacral radiculopathy. It is shown that the inclusion of TES in the program of rehabilitation therapy gives a more pronounced clinical effect, helps to reduce pain, has psychological correcting antidepressant action significantly, improves the quality of life of patients. The study results enable to recommend TES in the complex medical and rehabilitative measures as an effective and pathogenetically substantiated method of treatment of patients with occupational diseases of the nervous system.

Immune-mediated neurological syndromes in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: Evidence of immune-mediated neurological syndromes associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection is limited. We therefore investigated clinical, serological and CSF features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with neurological manifestations. METHODS: Consecutive COVID-19 patients with neurological manifestations other than isolated anosmia and/or non-severe headache, and with no previous neurological or psychiatric disorders were prospectively included. Neurological examination was performed in all patients and lumbar puncture with CSF examination was performed when not contraindicated. Serum anti-gangliosides antibodies were tested when clinically indicated. RESULTS: Of the 349 COVID-19 admitted to our center between March 23rd and April 24th 2020, 15 patients (4.3%) had neurological manifestations and fulfilled the study inclusion/exclusion criteria. CSF examination was available in 13 patients and showed lymphocytic pleocytosis in 2 patients: 1 with anti-contactin-associated protein 2 (anti-Caspr2) antibody encephalitis and 1 with meningo-polyradiculitis. Increased serum titer of anti-GD1b antibodies was found in three patients and was associated with variable clinical presentations, including cranial neuropathy with meningo-polyradiculitis, brainstem encephalitis and delirium. CSF PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was negative in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: In SARS-Cov-2 infected patients with neurological manifestations, CSF pleocytosis is associated with para- or post-infectious encephalitis and polyradiculitis. Anti-GD1b and anti-Caspr2 autoantibodies can be identified in certain cases, raising the question of SARS-CoV-2-induced secondary autoimmunity.

Does the Predominant Pain Location Influence Functional Outcomes, Satisfaction and Return to Work After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Cervical Radiculopathy?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospectively-collected registry data. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine how different combinations of preoperative neck pain (NP) and arm pain (AP) influence functional outcomes, patient satisfaction, and return-to-work in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for degenerative cervical radiculopathy (DCR). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Surgeons often base decisions on the traditional belief that the predominance of radicular upper extremity symptoms is a stronger indication for cervical spine surgery than axial pain. However, there is a paucity of literature supporting this notion. METHODS: A prospectively maintained registry was reviewed for all patients who underwent primary ACDF for DCR. Patients were categorized into three groups depending on predominant pain location: AP predominant ([APP]; AP > NP), NP predominant ([NPP]; NP > AP), and equal pain predominance ([EPP]; NP = AP). Patients were prospectively followed for at least 2 years. RESULTS: In total, 303 patients were included: 27.4% APP, 38.9% NPP, and 33.7% EPP cases. The APP group was significantly older (P = 0.030), although there were no other preoperative differences among the three groups. After adjusting for baseline differences, the SF-36 Physical Component Summary was significantly better in the APP group at 6 months (P = 0.048) and 2 years (P = 0.039). In addition, they showed a trend towards better 6-month Neck Disability Index (P = 0.077) and 2-year SF-36 Mental Component Summary (P = 0.059). However, an equal proportion of patients in each group achieved the Minimal Clinically Important Difference for each outcome, were satisfied, and returned to work 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Although patients with NPP had slightly poorer function and quality of life, all patients experienced a clinically meaningful improvement in patient-reported outcomes, regardless of the predominant pain location. High rates of satisfaction and return-to-work were also achieved. In the context of proper indications, these findings suggest that ACDF can be equally effective for DCR patients with varying combinations of NP or AP.Level of Evidence: 3.

Evaluation of rehabilitation effect of five-step exercises on patients with radiculopathy of cervical vertebra.

BACKGROUND: Among all types of cervical spondylitis, cervical spondylitis radiculopathy (CSR) has the highest incidence. The incidence of CSR increases year by year and is generally younger, which has seriously threatened people's quality of life and affected their work and life. This study proposes to improve the recovery rate of patients with CSR, delay the recurrence, improve the symptoms of patients, and improve the quality of life of patients through the rehabilitation and exercise of five-step cervical vertebra exercises. METHODS: For 90 patients with CSR that met the inclusion criteria, SPSS 23.0 software random number generator was used to randomly divide the patients into an experimental group and control group, with 45 cases in each group. The control group took basic nursing measures, and the experimental group took five steps of cervical vertebra rehabilitation exercises on the basis of elementary nursing measures. The rehabilitation effect of five-step exercises on CSR patients was evaluated by Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Cervical range of motion measured (CROM) before and after intervention. RESULTS: The results of this trial will be published on the website of China Clinical Trial Registration Center (http://www.chictr.org.cn/searchproj.aspx) and in peer-reviewed journals or academic conferences. CONCLUSIONS: This study will examine the feasibility and preliminary effects of five-step exercises for the treatment of patients with CSR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This protocol was registered in Clinical Trials platform with the number ChiCTR1900027299.

What Biopsychosocial Factors are Associated With Work Ability in Conservatively Managed Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy? A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

BACKGROUND: No previous studies have investigated what biopsychosocial factors are associated with self-reported work ability in conservatively managed patients with cervical radiculopathy. OBJECTIVE: To develop a theoretical model of factors and potential processes associated with variation in work ability based on a thorough assessment of biopsychosocial variables in conservatively managed patients with cervical radiculopathy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Tertiary neurosurgery clinic. PATIENTS: A total of 144 conservatively managed patients with cervical pain and radiculopathy participated in the study. METHODS: From 64 biopsychosocial candidate variables, significant (P < .05) bivariate correlators with Work Ability Index (WAI) were entered as independent variables in a categorical regression. Elastic net regularization maintained the most parsimonious set of independent variables significantly associated with variation in WAI as the dependent variable. Process analysis of significant independent variable associations with WAI was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: WAI. RESULTS: From 42 bivariate correlates of WAI, multivariate regression displayed a total of seven variables that were significantly (F [25,98] = 5.74, P < .05) associated with 65.8% of the variation in WAI. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire Work subscale (FABQ-W) were significant individual factors within the final regression model. Process analysis displayed FABQ-W having a significant specific indirect association with the direct association between NDI and WAI, with the model associated with 77% of the variability in WAI (F [2,84] = 141.17, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Of 64 candidate biopsychosocial factors, NDI and FABQ-W were the most significant multivariate correlates with work ability. FABQ-W has a significant indirect association with baseline NDI scores and perceived work ability. This warrants future research trialing work-related fear avoidance interventions in conservatively managed patients with cervical radiculopathy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.