Proprioceptive Deficits in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Last updated: July 10, 2024
Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Spinal Cord Disorders

Treatment

Proprioceptive Functional Analysis System

Clinical Study ID

NCT05183971
UW 20-746
  • Ages > 50
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

Proprioceptive deficits in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive neurological deficits in somatosensory and motor function which affects the body balance and motor control. DCM usually presents with body incoordination, hand clumsiness and gait disturbance associated with proprioceptive dysfunction that hinders the physical performance and functions. In this study, a non-invasive assessment protocol on proprioception will be developed for detecting subtle proprioceptive deficits at the early stage of disease through simple Physical Performance Tests for population older than 45. By adopting the physical performance tests as the diagnostic predictors of DCM, we aim to avoid the development of devastating consequences and disabilities.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Chinese

  • Aged 50 or above

  • With radiological evidence of degenerative cervical myelopathy, both symptomatic andasymptomatic

  • Nurick grade less than 3

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Non-Chinese ethnicity

  • Aged under 50

  • without any radiological proof of cervical myelopathy

  • Active problems of tuberculosis spine, lumbar spinal diseases, and other problemscausing pain or deformities over the limbs that may affect their balance andmovement

  • Presents with extra-pyramidal or other disorders involving the cerebellum or frontallobe of the cerebrum leading to poor balance and gait disturbance

  • Previous spinal operation with residual disturbance in balance or gait

  • Non-communicable patients with insufficient cognitive ability to express theirsymptoms clearly

  • Non-walker

  • Blind or deaf

Study Design

Total Participants: 100
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Proprioceptive Functional Analysis System
Phase:
Study Start date:
September 01, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
September 30, 2036

Study Description

DCM is a chronic insidious disease, one of the most disabling orthopaedic conditions, which involves compression of the spinal cord by the surrounding structures in cervical spinal region. It characterizes with progressive neurological deficits in body coordination, hand clumsiness and gait disturbance as the preliminary symptom which may cause by proprioceptive dysfunction .

Physical performance and function hinder patients' hand clumsiness, gait disturbance and body imbalance. The incoordination between body, upper limbs and lower limbs will be resulted from proprioceptive deficits caused by spinal cord compression. By adopting the Proprioceptive Functional Analysis System (PFAS), proprioceptive deficits over the core body joints and peripheral joints could be tested during Activity of Daily Living (ADL) with reference to normal subjects' performance. All subjects will be tested by the PFAS and Physical Performance Tests.

The idea of regional proprioceptive deficit will be incorporated in the assessment protocol for DCM to facilitates a breakthrough from the traditional DCM functional evaluation.

In developing a non-invasive assessment protocol to assess proprioceptive deficit, we aim to detect subtle proprioceptive deficit from the tests, especially at the very early stage of disease. We target to demonstrate the validity of Physical Performance Tests are evenly high as that of the advanced technology, PFAS.

Consequently, by adopting the valid Physical Performance Tests in health screening scheme for population older than 45 within the community can serve as an early diagnostic parameter of DCM and avoid delayed treatment leading to devastating consequences and disabilities.

Connect with a study center

  • The Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital at Sandy Bay

    Hong Kong, 000
    Hong Kong

    Active - Recruiting

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