Upper-extremity position sense testing in people with cervical nerve root compression
Assessment of Upper Extremity Proprioception in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy
Marmara University · NCT07319156
This project will test whether adults with cervical radiculopathy have poorer upper-arm position sense than healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 58 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Marmara University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, Pendik) |
| Trial ID | NCT07319156 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an observational, case-control comparison of adults aged 18–65 who have cervical radiculopathy confirmed by clinical exam and cervical MRI versus healthy control participants. Participants will undergo multi-joint, multi-planar proprioception testing using the PRO-Reach method alongside routine clinical sensory and motor examinations. The study excludes conditions that independently impair proprioception (for example diabetes, polyneuropathy, recent cervical or upper-extremity surgery, entrapment neuropathies, or recent cervical physical therapy). The investigators will compare proprioceptive performance between groups and examine how proprioception relates to clinical measures such as pain distribution, strength, reflexes, and functional outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with radicular arm pain and cervical MRI evidence of disc herniation corresponding to their symptoms who are willing to attend in-person testing are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with conditions that independently impair sensation or motor control (for example diabetes, polyneuropathy, entrapment neuropathies), recent cervical or arm surgery, pregnancy, or major psychiatric or intellectual disability are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians identify proprioceptive loss linked to cervical radiculopathy and guide more targeted sensorimotor rehabilitation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has documented proprioceptive deficits in broader neck-pain and cervical spondylosis populations, but direct data on cervical disc-related radiculopathy are limited and PRO-Reach is a relatively new, not yet widely validated approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Being between 18 and 65 years of age * Presence of radicular pain diagnosed through clinical examination and cervical -MRI imaging Patients with cervical MRI findings demonstrating cervical disc herniation at least at one level consistent with their symptoms * Willingness to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * History of cervical physical therapy within the past year * Symptoms or diagnosis of upper-extremity entrapment neuropathy * Patients with documented vitamin B12 or vitamin D deficiency within the last 2 years in available medical records * History of cervical surgery or cervical trauma * History of upper-extremity surgery or trauma * Individuals with intellectual disability * Presence of major psychiatric comorbidity * Diagnosis of polyneuropathy * Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus * Diagnosis of fibromyalgia * Use of medications that may impair proprioception * Pregnancy * Refusal to provide informed consent
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Pendik
- Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Pendik Training and Research Hospital, Algology Department — Istanbul, Pendik, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Fatma B Akdağ, Research Assistant — Marmara University Faculty of Medicine ,Marmara University, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Study coordinator: Fatma B Akdağ, Research Assistant
- Email: fatma.betul820@gmail.com
- Phone: +90 537 452 96 60
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Cervical Radiculopathy, Proprioception, Cervical Disc Herniation, Proprioception Reaching Test, Pro-reach, Upper Extremity, cervical radiculopathy, proprioception