Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40035695›Full record

ReviewThe Journal of manual & manipulative therapy2025

Understanding degenerative cervical myelopathy in musculoskeletal practice.

Matteo Cervellini, Daniel Feller, Filippo Maselli, Giacomo Rossettini, Chad Cook, Julia Tabrah, Rohil V Chauhan, Alan Taylor, Roger Kerry, Ian Young and 3 more

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Matteo CervelliniDepartment of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Daniel FellerDepartment of General Practice, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Institution, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-9853-3486
Filippo MaselliDepartment of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9683-9975
Giacomo RossettiniSchool of Physiotherapy, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-1623-7681
Chad CookDepartment of Orthopaedics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-8622-8361
Julia TabrahHounslow and Richmond Community NHS Trust, West London, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-0669-6216
Rohil V ChauhanAuckland Spine Surgery Centre; Active Living and Rehabilitation: Aotearoa New Zealand; Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.ORCID 0000-0002-7244-2305
Alan TaylorFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-8192-0057
Roger KerryFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-7751-4953
Ian YoungAmerican Academy of Manipulative Therapy Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, Montgomery, AL, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-6559-993X
James DunningAmerican Academy of Manipulative Therapy Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, Montgomery, AL, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-1194-0108
Nathan HuttingDepartment of Occupation and Health, School of Organisation and Development, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-6164-6265
Firas MouradDepartment of Health, LUNEX University of Applied Sciences, Differdange, Luxembourg.ORCID 0000-0002-8981-2085

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDegenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a progressive compression of the spinal cord. DCM often looks like common symptoms of aging or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in its early stages, requiring careful differential diagnosis. Identifying DCM is a real challenge as no validated screening tools are available for making the DCM diagnosis. Potentially, individuals with DCM may experience misdiagnosis or substantial diagnostic delays, with an enhanced risk of irreversible neurological consequences if not promptly addressed. Despite the increasing prevalence, there is a lack of awareness about DCM among both the public and healthcare professionals. However, patients may seek physiotherapy to obtain a diagnosis or access treatment.

methodsA comprehensive (non-systematic) review of the literature about DCM epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and management was conducted.

resultsA guide and essential knowledge to facilitate clinicians to understand DCM and to enhance clinical reasoning skills, performance and interpretation of the examination are provided. Interdisciplinary collaboration and optimal referral methods are also handled.

conclusionThe aim of this article is to summarize and enhance physiotherapists' essential knowledge of the differential diagnosis and management of patients with DCM.

Indexed as

Cervical VertebraeSpinal Cord CompressionSpinal Cord DiseasesDiagnosis, DifferentialHumansPhysical Therapy Modalitiesguideline adherenceintervertebral disc degenerationneck painPhysiotherapyspinal cord compressionSpinal cord diseases

Identifiers

PMID40035695
PMCPMC12090262

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.