Cervical RadiculopathyNCT07319156
Assessment of Upper Extremity Proprioception in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy
An observational study of Cervical Radiculopathy and Proprioception, run by Marmara University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cervical Radiculopathy, Proprioception, Cervical Disc Herniation
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 20 Dec 2025to 20 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
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.
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Show all 13Show fewer
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Pendik Training and Research Hospital, Algology Department
Istanbul, Pendik, 34890
About this study
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.
Read the detailed description
Cervical radicular pain is a neuropathic pain syndrome characterized by dermatomal distribution resulting from irritation of the cervical spinal nerve roots. The most common underlying causes are cervical disc herniation and cervical spinal stenosis. Motor, sensory, or reflex disturbances may accompany the condition, and it is most frequently observed in individuals aged 50-54 years.
Proprioception is a sensorimotor function that enables the perception of joint position and movement through the processing of afferent inputs originating from joints, muscles, and tendons within the central nervous system. Proprioceptive inputs from the cervical spine integrate with visual and vestibular information to play a critical role in head-trunk orientation, postural control, and upper-extremity movement coordination.
Although there is currently no gold-standard method for assessing active joint position sense-the quantifiable component of proprioception-tools such as manual and digital goniometers, inclinometers, and laser pointers are commonly used. However, these techniques measure joint position sense in a single plane and typically at a single joint. Recent studies, however, support the use of assessment methods that capture multisensory spatial representation of the entire limb and reflect the complexity of daily functional movements by incorporating multiplanar and multi-joint measurements. The PRO-Reach method developed by Ager et al. enables such multi-planar and multi-joint assessment without requiring computerized interfaces or robotic devices.
Numerous studies have demonstrated impaired cervical proprioception in cervicogenic conditions such as chronic neck pain and cervical spondylosis. The aim of the present study is to investigate the extent of upper-extremity proprioceptive impairment in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Cervical muscle fatigue or alterations in cervical sensory input may reduce the accuracy of upper-extremity joint positioning, thereby negatively affecting upper-extremity proprioception
- 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
- Medical subject headings
- Radiculopathy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (5)
The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) is a unidimensional, self-reported measure of pain intensity that is widely used in both clinical practice and research, including studies involving patients with chronic pain. On this scale, patients rate their current level of pain on an 11-point numeric range from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable." Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Measured: Baseline
DN-4 Quastionnaire
The DN-4 (Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions) is a brief and reliable screening questionnaire used to determine whether a patient's pain is of neuropathic origin. It consists of a total of 10 items. Its name, DN-4, derives from the fact that it includes 4 main sections. Seven of the questions relate to patient-reported sensory symptoms, while three are based on clinical examination findings. Each "yes" response scores 1 point, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 10. A score above 4 indicates a high likelihood of neuropathic pain.
Measured: Baseline
SHORT FORM-12
The Short Form-12 (SF-12) is a health-related quality of life assessment tool that summarizes an individual's physical and mental health status through 12 items. It is a shortened version of the SF-36 questionnaire and measures eight health domains: physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health. The SF-12 produces two composite scores - the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) - which are standardized to a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10 in the general population. Higher scores indicate better health status and quality of life.
Measured: Baseline
Handgrip Strength Test(Jamar Hand Dynamometer)
The Jamar hand dynamometer is a hydraulic measurement device used to assess hand grip strength in an objective and reproducible manner. It is considered the gold standard in musculoskeletal research, rehabilitation, neurological evaluation, and work capacity assessments. The patient is seated with back support, the shoulder in a neutral position, the elbow flexed at 90°, and the forearm in a neutral position. The dynamometer is placed in the patient's hand, and they are instructed to "squeeze maximally." Typically, three trials are performed for each hand, and either the highest value or the mean value is used. Measurements are generally recorded in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb). Higher scores indicate greater grip strength, whereas lower scores suggest reduced muscle strength and may reflect sarcopenia, as well as potential neurological or musculoskeletal functional impairment.
Measured: Baseline
Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH)
The QuickDASH (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) is a brief and practical self-report questionnaire used to assess functional impairment and symptom severity of the upper extremity. It is the shortened version of the full DASH questionnaire and is widely preferred in clinical practice. The scale consists of 11 items that evaluate functional limitations and symptoms such as pain in the hand, arm, and shoulder regions. Patients respond based on their condition over the past week. Each item is scored from 1 to 5, and the final score is calculated on a 0-100 scale. A score of 0 indicates no disability related to the upper extremity, whereas higher scores reflect greater levels of disability.
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Jan 2026
- Study start20 Dec 2025
- Primary completion3 Jun 2026
- Study completion20 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cervical RadiculopathyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Marmara UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Marmara University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Fatma B Akdağ, Research Assistant, Principal investigator, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine ,Marmara University, Department of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationOsman H Gündüz, Professor, Study director, Algology Division, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Faculty of MedicineSerdar Kokar, Associate Professor, Study director, Algology Division, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Faculty of MedicineSavaş Şencan, Associate Professor, Study director, Algology Division, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Faculty of MedicineGökçenur Yalçın, Medical specialist, Study director, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine ,Marmara University, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07319156
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MarmaraU-FTR-FBA-02
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 28 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessment of Upper Extremity Proprioception in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07319156
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MarmaraU-FTR-FBA-02
- 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
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Marmara UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 3 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
Cervical radicular pain is a neuropathic pain syndrome characterized by dermatomal distribution resulting from irritation of the cervical spinal nerve roots. The most common underlying causes are cervical disc herniation and cervical spinal stenosis. Motor, sensory, or reflex disturbances may accompany the condition, and it is most frequently observed in individuals aged 50-54 years.
Proprioception is a sensorimotor function that enables the perception of joint position and movement through the processing of afferent inputs originating from joints, muscles, and tendons within the central nervous system. Proprioceptive inputs from the cervical spine integrate with visual and vestibular information to play a critical role in head-trunk orientation, postural control, and upper-extremity movement coordination.
Although there is currently no gold-standard method for assessing active joint position sense-the quantifiable component of proprioception-tools such as manual and digital goniometers, inclinometers, and laser pointers are commonly used. However, these techniques measure joint position sense in a single plane and typically at a single joint. Recent studies, however, support the use of assessment methods that capture multisensory spatial representation of the entire limb and reflect the complexity of daily functional movements by incorporating multiplanar and multi-joint measurements. The PRO-Reach method developed by Ager et al. enables such multi-planar and multi-joint assessment without requiring computerized interfaces or robotic devices.
Numerous studies have demonstrated impaired cervical proprioception in cervicogenic conditions such as chronic neck pain and cervical spondylosis. The aim of the present study is to investigate the extent of upper-extremity proprioceptive impairment in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Cervical muscle fatigue or alterations in cervical sensory input may reduce the accuracy of upper-extremity joint positioning, thereby negatively affecting upper-extremity proprioception
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- 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.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (13 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
The Upper Limb Proprioception Reaching Test (PRO-Reach)
Time frame: Baseline
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
5 secondary outcomes
The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
Time frame: Baseline
DN-4 Quastionnaire
Time frame: Baseline
SHORT FORM-12
Time frame: Baseline
Handgrip Strength Test(Jamar Hand Dynamometer)
Time frame: Baseline
Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH)
Time frame: Baseline
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Cervical Radiculopathy
Recruiting
Ultrasound-Guided Electrical Dry Needling for Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical Radiculopathy
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Correlation Between Forward Head Posture and Executive Functions in Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical Radiculopathy, Forward Head Posture
Recruiting
Myo-Electrical and Nerve Root Function Response to Focused Extracorpeal Shock Wave in Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical Radiculopathy
Not yet recruiting
Endoscopic Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy Versus Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical Disc Herniation, Cervical Foraminal Stenosis
RecruitingObservational study
Cervical Spinal Cord Signal Abnormalities in Patients With Cervical Radicular Pain
Cervical Radiculopathy, Cervical Myelomalacia
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Fatma B Akdağ, Research Assistant principal investigator
Marmara University Faculty of Medicine ,Marmara University, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Osman H Gündüz, Professor study director
Algology Division, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine
Serdar Kokar, Associate Professor study director
Algology Division, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cervical Radiculopathy and Proprioception, run by Marmara University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The Upper Limb Proprioception Reaching Test (PRO-Reach) (time frame: Baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Oct 2026.