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01-05-2020 | Physical Therapy | Original Article

Cervical muscle diseases are associated with indefinite and various symptoms in the whole body

Authors: Takayoshi Matsui, Kazuhiro Hara, Takamasa Kayama, Makoto Iwata, Nobuyuki Shitara, Shuntaro Hojo, Yuzo Endo, Hideoki Fukuoka, Noriko Yoshimura, Hiroshi Kawaguchi

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 5/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Patients with various and indefinite symptoms in the whole body occasionally have coincident with stiffness or tenderness of the cervical muscles. This prospective case series examined the effect of local modulation of the cervical muscles in patients with cervical disorders reporting indefinite whole-body symptoms.

Methods

A total of 1863 hospitalized patients with cervical disorders accompanying three or more indefinite whole-body symptoms, who were resistant to outpatient care, were enrolled in this study for 12 years. All patients underwent daily physical therapies to the cervical muscles during hospitalization. Self-rated records on the medical interview sheets documenting 30 representative symptoms including cervical/shoulder pain or stiffness and 28 representative indefinite whole-body symptoms at admission and discharge were compared across the population.

Results

The number of symptoms decreased significantly with the local modulation of the cervical muscles during hospitalization. All of the 28 indefinite whole-body symptoms at admission showed recovery rates greater than 50% at discharge. The mean number of symptoms decreased significantly from 17.8 at admission to 7.4 at discharge (p < 0.0001). The percentages of patients reporting 10 or more symptoms were 91.1% and 29.3% at admission and discharge, respectively. Moreover, 8.2% of patients reported no residual symptoms at discharge.

Conclusion

Cervical muscle lesions may contribute to indefinite whole-body symptoms, possibly through dysfunction of the parasympathetic nervous system in the muscles. Local modulation of cervical muscles could lead to a breakthrough in the management of patients with indefinite whole-body symptoms.

Trial registration ID

UMIN000035445.

Graphic abstract

These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

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Title: Cervical muscle diseases are associated with indefinite and various symptoms in the whole body
Authors: Takayoshi Matsui
Kazuhiro Hara
Takamasa Kayama
Makoto Iwata
Nobuyuki Shitara
Shuntaro Hojo
Yuzo Endo
Hideoki Fukuoka
Noriko Yoshimura
Hiroshi Kawaguchi
Publication date: 01-05-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Physical Therapy
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 5/2020
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-019-06233-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Cervical muscle diseases are associated with indefinite and various symptoms in the whole body

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration ID

Graphic abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration ID

Graphic abstract

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