The effect of exercise on cervical radiculopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background & Purpose: Cervical radiculopathy, often resulting from degenerative cervical disc disease, is a major cause of neck pain radiating to the upper limbs and functional limitations. Non-pharmacological and non-surgical approaches—particularly exercise and physiotherapy programs—are widely used in clinical practice, yet their overall effectiveness requires systematic evaluation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the impact of exercise programs (alone or in combination with standard treatments) on pain, quality of life, and disability in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Methods & Conclusions: The authors searched multiple databases through December 2018 for randomized controlled trials comparing exercise interventions with control or usual care in adults with cervical radiculopathy. Included studies measured outcomes such as pain and functional disability using validated instruments. Overall findings indicated that exercise programs, whether delivered alone or alongside other treatments, were associated with reductions in pain and improvements in neck disability. The authors concluded that exercise can be beneficial for this patient population, though given the limited number and quality of available trials, exercise selection should be individualized and further high-quality research is needed.