title: Correlations and time-dependent changes of upper arm performance tests, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, and a newly developed patient-based outcome measure : the Japanese Orthopaedic Cervical Myelopathy Questionnaire.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this prospective observational study, we investigated the time-dependent changes and correlations of upper arm performance tests (ten-second test and Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the JOA Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ) in 31 patients with cervical myelopathy who had undergone surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We hypothesised that all the indices correlate with each other, but show slightly different recovery patterns, and that the newly described JOACMEQ is a sensitive outcome measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peak recoveries were achieved one month post-operatively in the ten-second test and JOACMEQ upper extremity function (UEF) subscale, and at three months in the JOA and STEF scores. The recoveries of all indices were maintained until six months post-operatively. The upper extremity function (UEF) subscale in the JOACMEQ showed the strongest correlation with STEF although all the indices correlated with each other. Patients with ≥ 20 and < 20 acquired points in the UEF subscale were classified into the UEF-improved and UEF-unimproved groups. Comparisons between the groups showed that pre-operative evaluation of "coordinated motion" of the STEF was significantly low in the UEF-unimproved group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that the JOACMEQ is a concise, sensitive, patient-based outcome measure for evaluating functional recovery in patients with cervical myelopathy who have undergone surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:990-6.
authors.affiliation: National Hospital Organization, Osaka Minami Medical Center, 2-1 Kidohigashi, Kawachinagano, Osaka 586-0008, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
authors.affiliation: Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makino
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Health Care Sciences, Jikei institute, 1-2-8 Miyahara, Yodogawaku, Osaka 532-0003, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yonenobu
authors.affiliation: National Hospital Organization, Osaka Minami Medical Center, 2-1 Kidohigashi, Kawachinagano, Osaka 586-0008, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.affiliation: Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Cervical spine; Compressive cervical myelopathy; Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ); Patient-based quality of life outcome measure; Performance test; Post-operative functional recovery; Simple test for evaluating hand function (STEF); Ten-second test