Actively Recruiting

Age: 45Years +
All Genders
ID06528730

A Novel Surgical Criteria for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy in Chinese Ethnicity

Led by The University of Hong Kong ยท Updated on 2026-05-20

100

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

286 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is an age-related condition mainly affecting people aged 50 and over, caused by changes in the spine like ligament ossification or disc problems that compress the cervical spinal cord. It leads to symptoms such as hand numbness, clumsiness, and difficulty walking. This research aims to develop new surgical criteria based on physical performance tests alongside MRI and clinical signs to better guide surgery decisions for DCM, focusing on the Chinese population. The study involves confirming DCM diagnosis using MRI and orthopedic surgeon evaluation. Researchers will use physical performance tests such as the 10-second Grip and Release test, 10-second Stepping Test, and Foot Tapping Test over 24 months to assess functional deficits. These tests, combined with clinical indicators and MRI findings, will help establish objective criteria to predict the need for surgery. Participants will be evaluated regularly for their physical abilities and neurological function using these performance tests. The study will monitor changes over 24 months to assess hand and gait coordination. Researchers will also use clinical signs and patient cognitive ability to understand symptom progression. The goal is to improve surgical decision-making and recovery outcomes by identifying clear physical performance benchmarks in DCM patients.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

A Novel Surgical Criteria for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy in Chinese Ethnicity

Who Can Participate

Age: 45Years +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • MRI confirmed Chinese DCM surgical candidates
  • All gender
  • Older than 45 years old
  • Independent walkers
  • No previous cervical spinal surgery
  • Cognitively capable of following instructions
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Active diagnosis of tuberculosis spine
  • Lumbar spinal diseases
  • Extra-pyramidal disorders
  • Cerebral or cerebellar disorders
  • Peripheral neuropathies
  • Previous spinal operations
  • Unable to walk independently with or without aids
  • Non-communicable subjects and cognitively incapable of expressing their symptoms clearly

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Diagnostic Evaluation

Duration - Up to 24 months

Participants undergo MRI and clinical assessments to confirm degenerative cervical myelopathy and evaluate functional deficits.

Periodic assessments over 24 months

Long-term Monitoring

Duration - Up to 24 months

Participants are monitored to collect data on physical performance tests such as the Grip and Release test, Stepping Test, and Foot Tapping Test.

Periodic follow-up visits for up to 24 months

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

The Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital at Sandy Bay

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 000

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

K

Karlen Ka-pui Law, M. Phil

How is the study designed?

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Masking

N/A

Allocation

N/A

Model

N/A

Primary Purpose

N/A

Number of Arms

0

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Published Research Related To This Trial

A Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Patients With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Recommendations for Patients With Mild, Moderate, and Severe Disease and Nonmyelopathic Patients With Evidence of Cord Compression.

Michael G Fehlings, Lindsay A Tetreault, K Daniel Riew...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29164035

Assessment of degenerative cervical myelopathy differs between specialists and may influence time to diagnosis and clinical outcomes.

Bryn Hilton, Jennifer Tempest-Mitchell, Benjamin Davies...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30557368

The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scale: establishing criteria for mild, moderate and severe impairment in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Lindsay Tetreault, Branko Kopjar, Aria Nouri...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27342612

Quantifiable tests for cervical myelopathy; 10-s grip and release test and 10-s step test: standard values and aging variation from 1230 healthy volunteers.

Yasutsugu Yukawa, Hiroaki Nakashima, Keigo Ito...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23564077

Validity of the 10-s step test: prospective study comparing it with the 10-s grip and release test and the 30-m walking test.

Hiroaki Nakashima, Yasutsugu Yukawa, Keigo Ito...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21380747

Cut off value in each gender and decade of 10-s grip and release and 10-s step test: A comparative study between 454 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and 818 healthy subjects.

Masaaki Machino, Kei Ando, Kazuyoshi Kobayashi...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31306894