Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40754650›Full record

ArticleMusculoskeletal care2025

Evaluating Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist's Self-Perceived Knowledge and Understanding of the Assessment, Diagnosis and Management of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Esther Dawson, Fi Macintosh

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Musculoskeletal care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

2 authors.

Esther DawsonYork St John University, York, UK.ORCID 0009-0002-2686-7297
Fi MacintoshYork St John University, York, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDegenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is often inadequately managed, leading to serious long-term consequences for patients. Limited awareness of DCM among healthcare professionals may contribute to this problem.

objectiveThis study aimed to assess UK-based musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapists' knowledge and confidence in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of DCM.

methodsAn online cross-sectional survey was conducted to gather data on MSK physiotherapists' understanding of DCM. It also explored perceived barriers to care and the value of additional training. The survey was distributed via the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy's (iCSP) website, professional networks, and social media. Responses were collected in March 2024.

resultsA total of 108 physiotherapists participated, most with over 10 years of experience. Many reported that they had not received DCM-specific training in their undergraduate programs. While most were fairly or very confident in their knowledge of DCM, subjective questioning relating to DCM, and management, nearly half expressed concern about missing a DCM diagnosis. Most participants felt they would benefit from further training.

conclusionMSK physiotherapists are generally confident in their assessment and management of DCM but seek more comprehensive training, especially in symptomology and non-surgical management. The findings of this survey also suggest a gap in DCM education at the undergraduate level, highlighting an opportunity to improve training for early-career physiotherapists.

Indexed as

Clinical CompetenceHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticePhysical TherapistsSpinal Cord DiseasesAdultCervical VertebraeCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited KingdomDCMdegenerative cervical myelopathymusculoskeletalphysiotherapy

Identifiers

PMID40754650
PMCPMC12319136

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.