Long term follow-up of cervical intervertebral disc herniation inpatients treated with integrated complementary and alternative medicine: a prospective case series observational study

Table 1 Baseline demographic characteristics

Variables	Long term follow-up group (n = 117)		Non-long term follow-up group (n = 48)
Variables	n (%)	mean (sd)	n (%)	mean (sd)
Age (years)		45.4 ± 11.4		41.5 ± 10.4
Gender, male	54 (46.2)		25 (52.1)
Smoking status
Non-smoker	62 (53.5)		24 (50.0)
Current smoker	33 (28.5)		14 (29.2)
Past smoker	21 (18.1)		10 (20.8)
Drinking
No	14 (12.1)		3 (6.3)
Yes	102 (87.9)		45 (93.8)
Regular physical activity
No	52 (44.8)		21 (43.8)
Yes	64 (55.2)		27 (56.3)
Body mass index		22.8 ± 3		22.8 ± 3.1
Previous neck pain episode
No	93 (79.5)		40 (83.3)
Yes	24 (20.5)		8 (16.7)
Comorbid illness^a, yes	65 (55.6)		27 (56.3)
Radiating arm pain
None	24 (20.7)		8 (16.7)
Unilateral	67 (57.8)		29 (60.4)
Bilateral	25 (21.6)		11 (22.9)
Sensory loss	32 (42.7)		17 (58.6)
ROM restriction^b
No	58 (49.6)		27 (56.3)
Yes	59 (50.4)		21 (43.8)
Positive physical exam result^c
No	31 (26.5)		19 (39.6)
Yes	86 (73.5)		29 (60.4)
Previous treatment for current episode
Epidural injections^d	19 (16.4)		6 (12.5)
Analgesic medications	56 (48.3)		21 (43.8)
CAM	25 (21.6)		13 (27.1)
Surgery	1 (0.9)		2 (4.2)
Duration of current episode (days)		210.1 ± 404.9		302.4 ± 557.6
Less than 1 month	34 (29.6)		11 (22.9)
Between 1 and 6 months	54 (47.0)		22 (45.8)
Over 6 months	27 (23.5)		15 (31.3)
Recommendation for surgery at other institution^e
No	88 (75.2)		-
Yes	29 (24.8)		1 (100)
NRS, neck pain (0–10)		5.9 ± 2.3		5.8 ± 2.4
NRS, radiating arm pain (0–10)		4.8 ± 3.1		5.4 ± 2.7
Neck disability index (0–100)		40.6 ± 15.9		40.2 ± 15.2

ROM Range of motion; CAM Complementary and alternative medicine; NRS Numeric rating scale
^aAny self-reported gastritis, tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, cardiovascular disease, uterine myoma, or hepatitis B carrier
^bRegarded no ROM restriction if (a) cervical flexion > 30^o at admission, (b) cervical extension > 30^o at admission, (c) left cervical rotation angle = right cervical rotation angle at admission, and (d) left cervical side-bending angle = right cervical side-bending angle at admission were all satisfied. Regarded ROM restriction if any of the above-mentioned conditions were not met
^cRegarded positive physical exam result if any exam of (a) compression test, (b) distraction test, (c) Valsalva test, (d) Spurling test was positive at admission. Regarded negative physical exam result if all exams were negative. If any exam was uncheckable due to pain or functional disability, it was considered to be a positive test result
^dLocal anesthetics such as lidocaine, steroids, and anti-adhesion adjuvants were used
^eEver-recommendation for surgery at other conventional institution before current admission

ISSN: 2662-7671