Exercise training for non-operative and post-operative patient with cervical radiculopathy: a literature review.
[Purpose] Cervical radiculopathy is a clinical condition associated with pain, numbness and/or muscle weaknesses of the upper extremities due to a compression or irritation of the cervical nerve roots. It is usually managed conservatively but surgical intervention is sometimes required for those who fail to respond adequately. This study performed a literature review to determine the effects of exercise on non-operative and post-operative cervical radiculopathy patients. [Methods] The PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus databases were searched to identify relevant articles published from January 1997 to May 2014, which explicitly stated that an exercise program was employed as an intervention for cervical radiculopathy. The therapeutic effectiveness and outcomes were then classified based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model. [Results] Eleven studies were identified and included in the final analysis. In these studies, the main forms of exercise training were specific strengthening and general stretching exercises. Levels of evidence were graded as either I or II for all studies according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. The PEDro Scale score of these studies ranged from 5 to 8. [Conclusion] A review of eleven high-level evidence and high-quality studies revealed that, based on the ICF model, exercise training is beneficial for improving the body function as well as activity participation of cervical radiculopathy patients.
Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
Chih-Hsiu
CH
Cheng
Department of Physical Therapy, Georgia State University, USA.
Liang-Ching
LC
Tsai
Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
Hui-Chu
HC
Chung
School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
Wei-Li
WL
Hsu
School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
Shwu-Fen
SF
Wang
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
Jaw-Lin
JL
Wang
Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan.
Dar-Ming
DM
Lai
Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taiwan.
Andy
A
Chien
Cervical radiculopathy; Exercise training; ICF model