Sensorimotor rehabilitation and changes in upper limb function after acute cervical spinal disorders: a retrospective case series (n = 14)

Abstract

Upper limb impairment is a common consequence of acute cervical spinal disorders and can substantially compromise functional independence, highlighting the need for rehabilitation strategies that address sensorimotor and functional impairments. To describe changes in upper limb function following a sensorimotor intervention incorporating a viscoelastic product in individuals with acute non-degenerative cervical spinal disorders. Uncontrolled, before and after, observational retrospective longitudinal case series study with no comparator group, conducted over a 14-month period. Surgical inpatient unit. Fourteen participants with acute non-degenerative cervical spinal disorders receiving a rehabilitation nursing programme, with heterogeneous underlying diagnoses including disc herniation, fracture, space-occupying lesion, myelopathy, and spinal cord trauma. Spasticity assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale, upper limb muscle strength assessed using the Medical Research Council Muscle Scale, and functional independence assessed using the Barthel Index. Statistically significant changes in spasticity were observed between baseline and discharge ( Z  = −3.093; p  < .001; r  = 0.83), together with significant changes in muscle strength across all assessed upper extremity segments: fingers ( Z  = −3.330; p  < .001; r  = 0.89), wrist ( Z  = −3.324; p  < .001; r  = 0.89), forearm ( Z  = −2.953; p  < .001; r  = 0.79), elbow ( Z  = −3.084; p  < .001; r  = 0.82), and shoulder ( Z  = −2.555; p  = .008; r  = 0.68), as well as in functional independence ( Z  = −3.297; p  < .001; r  = 0.88). Changes in spasticity, upper limb muscle strength and functional independence were observed between baseline and discharge. Given the uncontrolled retrospective case-series design and absence of a control or comparison group, these findings should be interpreted with caution, as they cannot be attributed specifically to the intervention and should be considered hypothesis-generating for future research. Further prospective controlled studies are warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.