Assessment of Upper Extremity Proprioception in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy

NCT07319156 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: MarmaraU-FTR-FBA-02
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 58
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

There is no study in the current literature that systematically investigates the extent of upper-extremity proprioceptive impairment in patients with radicular neuropathic symptoms secondary to cervical disc herniation, nor its association with clinical findings. Although existing reviews emphasize proprioceptive deficits in populations with neck pain or cervical spondylosis, no studies specifically address the subgroup of cervical disc-related radiculopathy. This gap in knowledge hinders the integration of proprioceptive assessments with upper-extremity functional outcome measures in diagnostic and rehabilitative processes, suggesting a need for more specific data to guide sensory-motor training approaches. The primary aim of the present study is to assess upper-extremity proprioception in patients with cervical radiculopathy by comparing them with a healthy control group. The secondary aim is to examine the relationship between upper-extremity proprioception and clinical outcomes, including parameters such as pain and functional status.

Conditions

Cervical Radiculopathy; Proprioception; Cervical Disc Herniation; Proprioception Reaching Test; Pro-reach; Upper Extremity

Keywords

cervical radiculopathy; proprioception; cervical disc herniation; proprioception reaching test; pro-reach; upper extremity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The Upper Limb Proprioception Reaching Test (PRO-Reach)

  PRO-Reach is a 90 × 110 cm plastic poster mounted on the wall using bilateral magnetic strips. Round stickers with a diameter of 0.6 cm, manually numbered (1-3), are used to mark the three free-reach attempts for each target. Seven targets are used and are named according to the movement direction of the dominant limb: the left side of the poster represents the dominant side for left-handed participants, while the right side corresponds to non-dominant (ND) cross-body movements. The opposite applies to right-handed participants. The targets are labeled as follows: superior (S), superior-lateral dominant (SLD) and non-dominant (SLND), lateral-dominant (LD) and non-dominant (LND), and inferior-lateral dominant (ILD) and non-dominant (ILND). The (S) target is used for evaluation in participants without limb dominance. The (S) target is also used for the three familiarization trials (three memorization and reposition attempts). The purpose is to "assess the ability to reproduce movements

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

  Baseline

• DN-4 Quastionnaire

  Baseline

• SHORT FORM-12

  Baseline

• Handgrip Strength Test(Jamar Hand Dynamometer)

  Baseline

• Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH)

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy

Patients aged 18-65 years who were diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy based on history, physical examination, and clinical evaluation

Healty Participants

Healthy volunteers matched to the cervical radiculopathy group in terms of age, sex, and BMI.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients aged 18-65 years who are diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy based on history, physical examination, and clinical evaluation will be assessed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two groups will be formed: the cervical radiculopathy group and a healthy volunteer group matched for age, sex, and BMI.

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marmara University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Pendik Training and Research Hospital, Algology Department

Istanbul, Pendik, 34890, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Radiculopathy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Fatma B Akdağ, Research Assistant

  Marmara University Faculty of Medicine ,Marmara University, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Osman H Gündüz, Professor

  Algology Division, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Serdar Kokar, Associate Professor

  Algology Division, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Savaş Şencan, Associate Professor

  Algology Division, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Gökçenur Yalçın, Medical specialist

  Marmara University Faculty of Medicine ,Marmara University, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Fatma B Akdağ, Research Assistant

CONTACT

+90 537 452 96 60; fatma.betul820@gmail.com

Savaş Şencan, Associate Professor

CONTACT

savas-44@hotmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 1, 2025
• First Posted: January 6, 2026
• Study Start: December 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2026
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)