ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2022
Cervical spine and muscle adaptation after spaceflight and relationship to herniation risk: protocol from 'Cervical in Space' trial.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 citations in OpenAlex.
- Quantitative MRI changes in neck muscle size and composition following long-duration spaceflight.Experimental physiology · 2026Article
- Hyper-buoyancy flotation increases cervical disc height and reduces vertebral stiffness, with only partial reversal after acute 1 g axial loading.Experimental physiology · 2026Article
- Targeting AMPK signaling in nucleus pulposus cells ameliorates spaceflight microgravity-induced intervertebral disc degeneration.Cell death and differentiation · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
16 authors at 8 institutions in 5 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundAstronauts have a higher risk of cervical intervertebral disc herniation. Several mechanisms have been attributed as causative factors for this increased risk. However, most of the previous studies have examined potential causal factors for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation only. Hence, we aim to conduct a study to identify the various changes in the cervical spine that lead to an increased risk of cervical disc herniation after spaceflight.
methodsA cohort study with astronauts will be conducted. The data collection will involve four main components: a) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); b) cervical 3D kinematics; c) an Integrated Protocol consisting of maximal and submaximal voluntary contractions of the neck muscles, endurance testing of the neck muscles, neck muscle fatigue testing and questionnaires; and d) dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examination. Measurements will be conducted at several time points before and after astronauts visit the International Space Station. The main outcomes of interest are adaptations in the cervical discs, muscles and bones. DISCUSSION: Astronauts are at higher risk of cervical disc herniation, but contributing factors remain unclear. The results of this study will inform future preventive measures for astronauts and will also contribute to the understanding of intervertebral disc herniation risk in the cervical spine for people on Earth. In addition, we anticipate deeper insight into the aetiology of neck pain with this research project.
trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00026777. Registered on 08 October 2021.
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