1. |
- Abbott, Allan, et al.
(author)
-
Is there a need for cervical collar usage post anterior cervical decompression and fusion? : A randomized control pilot trial
- 2013
-
In: Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0959-3985 .- 1532-5040. ; 29:4, s. 290-300
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common surgical intervention for radiculopathy resulting from degenerative cervical spine conditions. Post-surgical cervical collar use is believed to reduce post-operative pain, provide the patient with a sense of security during activities of daily living and even reduce rates of non-fusion. This prospective randomized controlled pilot trial investigates trial design feasibility in relation to prospective physical, functional, and quality of life-related outcomes of patients undergoing ACDF with interbody cage, with (n = 17) and without (n = 16) post-operative cervical collar usage. Results show that the sample provides sufficient statistical power to show that the use of a rigid cervical collar during 6 post-operative weeks is associated with significantly lower levels of neck disability index after 6 weeks and significantly lower levels of prospective neck pain. To investigate causal quality of life or fusion rate outcomes, sample size needs to be increased at least fourfold and optimally sixfold when accounting for data loss in prospective follow-up. The study suggests that post-surgical cervical collar usage may help certain patients cope with initial post-operative pain and disability.
|
|
2. |
- Dedering, Åsa, et al.
(author)
-
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
- 2014
-
In: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2474. ; 15:274
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 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.
|
|
3. |
- Halvorsen, Marie, et al.
(author)
-
Endurance and fatigue characteristics in the neck muscles during sub-maximal isometric test in patients with cervical radiculopathy
- 2014
-
In: European spine journal. - : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 0940-6719 .- 1432-0932. ; 23:3, s. 590-598
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeThe 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.MethodsMuscle 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.ResultsThe 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).ConclusionNME testing in the primary neck muscles seems to be an important factor to take into consideration in rehabilitation.
|
|
4. |
- Halvorsen, Marie, et al.
(author)
-
Endurance and fatigue characteristics of static test of the neck muscles in patients with cervical radiculopathy
- 2012
-
In: Proceedings of the XIXth Congress of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology. - : The International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK). - 9780646582283 ; , s. 55-55
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Neck muscle function is important for support and control of the cervical spine. With the application of frequency analysis of the electromyography (EMG) signal, the fatigue rate of muscles can be monitored. In several EMG studies, the neck muscles have been shown to fatigue faster in subjects with neck pain. This can be seen when the median frequency (MF) decreases when a contraction is sustained.AIM: In this experimental study the purpose was to evaluate patients with cervical radiculopathy compared to healthy subjects regarding changes in neckZmuscle fatigue during static endurance test in prone and supine.METHODS: A total of 33 patients (19 women and 14 men) with cervical radiculopathy and 28 healthy subjects (17 women and 11 men) were included in the study. Neck muscle fatigue was studied using EMG with surface electrodes bilaterally on cervical paraspinal and sternocleidomastoid muscle groups with electrode placement according to SENIAM. Measurements of neck muscle fatigue were performed in supine and prone positions until patient perceived time till exhaustion. Subjective neck muscle fatigue was rated on a Borg CRZ10 scale while subjective neck pain was measured on 0Z10 Visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients with cervical radiculopathy even completed the Neck Disability Index (NDI).RESULTS: The mean endurance time during static extension between groups was significantly different (p<0.001) with cervical radiculopathy patients recording 190 seconds (Sd=119) and the healthy subjects 509 seconds (Sd=213). Differences in mean endurance time during static flexion between groups were nonZsignificant with cervical radiculopathy patients recording 64 seconds (Sd=40) and the healthy subjects 96 seconds (Sd=69). Cervical radiculopathy patients MF EMG slope (Z0.039) for the right cervical paraspinal muscles significantly decreased (p=0.009) more the healthy subjects (Z0.017) during the extension test. NDI significantly correlated with MF EMG slope for both left (r=Z0.631 p= 0.001) and right side (r=Z0Z496 p=0.014) cervical paraspinal muscles during extension for the patient group.CONCLUSION: Patients with cervical radiculopathy perform similar to healthy subjects with regards to static supine flexion endurance time and cervical muscle fatigue. Patients with cervical radiculopathy however have significantly lower endurance times and fatigue faster in the right side cervical paraspinal muscles during static prone extension.ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The present study was supported by funds from Karolinska Institute.
|
|