Sensory and Functional Impairments in Cervical Disc Herniation

Investigation of Somatosensory Perception, Pain, Kinesiophobia, and Upper Extremity Functional Skills in Cervical Disc Herniation: A Case-Control Study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of somatosensory perception, pain threshold and kinesiophobia in individuals with SDH, to examine their relationship with upper extremity functional skills and to compare them with healthy individuals.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Cervical Disc Herniation
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Somatosensory Perception Tests; Other: The Visual Analog Scale; Other: Pain Threshold and Tolerance Assessment; Other: Upper extremity functionality

Detailed Description

Cervical disc herniation (SDH) occurs when nerve roots and/or spinal cord are compressed due to degeneration or displacement of the cervical intervertebral disc and can present with pain, sensory loss, muscle weakness, and functional limitations. Because the C5-T1 nerve roots provide motor and sensory innervation from the shoulder to the hand, SDH can cause not only pain but also impairments in somatosensory perception, tactile sensations, and proprioceptive awareness. Nerve root compression disrupts the integrity of sensory functions such as touch, vibration, and two-point discrimination, negatively impacting upper extremity abilities. Furthermore, pain and central sensitization processes lower the pain threshold, further limiting motor performance and activities of daily living. Therefore, the combined evaluation of somatosensory perception, pain, and functional abilities in individuals with SDH is crucial for a holistic understanding of the clinical picture.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 64

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Iğdir
    • Iğdır, Iğdir, Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Recruiting
      • Dilan Demirtas Karaoba
      • Contact: DILAN DEMIRTAS KARAOBA, asst. prof; Phone Number: 05541127796; Email: dilandemirtas92@gmail.com
      • Contact: Büşra Candiri, asst. prof
      • Sub-Investigator: Ramazan Cihad YILMAZ, asst. prof
      • Sub-Investigator: Büşra Candiri, asst. prof

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Cervical disc herniation and healthy individuals

Description

Inclusion criteria for volunteers in the study: Neck pain lasting at least 3 months, Being between the ages of 18-65 with a diagnosis of cervical disc herniation, Being able to cooperate with the applied parameters, Having good cognitive function, Being literate, Agreeing to participate in the study.

For the control group, having no complaints of neck pain and not having any neck-related diagnosis.

Exclusion criteria for volunteers in the study: Neck pain intensity during activity according to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) below 3, Individuals who have undergone any surgery related to neck problems, Individuals who have undergone surgery related to upper extremity problems, Individuals with cervical radiculopathy, Having a systemic malignant disease anywhere in the body, Having any disease related to connective tissue or inflammatory rheumatic diseases, Having a psychiatric diagnosis and receiving treatment, Being illiterate, Not having sufficient cognitive function, Having received any neck-related physical therapy in the last 6 months for the CBA group.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Individuals with SDH; Individuals with SDH are patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation by a physical therapist.	Other: Somatosensory Perception Tests; Tactile Localization Test The tactile localization test assesses touch perception. Finger Recognition Test The participant is asked to point to their finger, which has been touched with a pen, while their eyes are closed. Double-Touch Stimulus Perception Test This test is based on the identification of two separate stimuli presented simultaneously.; Other: The Visual Analog Scale; The Visual Analog Scale evaluates the intensity of pain felt by patients in different activities and time periods (rest, activity and night) in centimeters (cm).; Other: Pain Threshold and Tolerance Assessment; Participants' pain threshold and tolerance to pressure are assessed using a digital algometer (JTech Medical Industries, ZEVEX Company).; Other: Upper extremity functionality; Upper extremity functionality will be assessed using the DASH and Purdue Pegboard Manual Dexterity Test.
healthy participants.; Individuals with similar demographic characteristics who did not have any neck pain during the initial interview were considered healthy participants.	Other: Somatosensory Perception Tests; Tactile Localization Test The tactile localization test assesses touch perception. Finger Recognition Test The participant is asked to point to their finger, which has been touched with a pen, while their eyes are closed. Double-Touch Stimulus Perception Test This test is based on the identification of two separate stimuli presented simultaneously.; Other: The Visual Analog Scale; The Visual Analog Scale evaluates the intensity of pain felt by patients in different activities and time periods (rest, activity and night) in centimeters (cm).; Other: Pain Threshold and Tolerance Assessment; Participants' pain threshold and tolerance to pressure are assessed using a digital algometer (JTech Medical Industries, ZEVEX Company).; Other: Upper extremity functionality; Upper extremity functionality will be assessed using the DASH and Purdue Pegboard Manual Dexterity Test.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pain Threshold and Tolerance Assessment	Participants' pain threshold and tolerance to pressure are assessed using a digital algometer (JTech Medical Industries, ZEVEX Company).	24-48 hours
Pain Assessment evaluates	Pain Assessment evaluates the intensity of pain felt by patients in centimeters (cm) during different activities and time periods (rest, activity and night).	24-48 hours
Somatosensory Perception Tests		24-48 hours
Upper extremity functionality	Upper extremity functionality will be assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire and Purdue Pegboard Manual Dexterity Test.The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a higher level of upper extremity disability.	24-48 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Inonu University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 24, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 3, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 12, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 2, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 2, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): December 15, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): December 22, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 15, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; Sensation; Pain; Pain Threshold
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2025/8426

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No