Table 1: Outcome assessment tools used in CSM.
Measurement | Description | Interpretation | ||
JOA [11] | 6 domains: 1. Motor dysfunction - Upper extremities 2. Motor dysfunction - Lower extremities 3. Sensory function - Upper extremities 4. Sensory function - Lower extremities 5. Sensory function - Trunk 6. Bladder function | Total score: 0-17 Lower score represents greater disability | ||
mJOA [11] | 4 domains: 1. Motor dysfunction - Upper extremities 2. Motor dysfunction - Lower extremities 3. Sensory function - Upper extremities 4. Bladder function | Total score: 0-18 Lower score represents greater disability | ||
Nurick grade [12] | Gait impairment assessment (Grade 0 - Grade 5) | Higher grade indicates greater disability (eg, Grade 5 represents chair bound or bedridden) | ||
Neck disability index (NDI) [13] | 10 domains assessing neck disability: 1. Pain intensity higher score indicates greater disability 2. Personal care 3. Lifting 4. Reading 5. Headaches 6. Concentration 7. Work 8. Driving 9. Sleeping 10. Recreation | Total score: 0-50 points | ||
Short-form 36 Health survey (SF-36) [14] | Health-related quality-of life assessment 8 domains: 1. Physical functioning 2. Physical role limitations 3. Emotional role limitations 4. Vitality 5. Social functioning 6. Pain 7. Mental health 8. General health | Total score: 0-100 points Lower score indicates greater disability | ||
Visual analogue scale (VAS) [15] | Assessing pain intensity along a continuous line | One endpoint is no pain while the other opposite endpoint signifies the worst pain |
CSM: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy; JOA: Japanese orthopaedic association; mJOA: Modified japanese orthopaedic association.