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.