Objective
To determine the association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and neck pain, kinesiophobia, and modalities of physical activity in individuals with postoperative degenerative cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy (DCM/R) because postoperative pain after cervical spine surgery is likely to persist, causing kinesiophobia and avoidance of physical activity.
Methods
A questionnaire was distributed to 280 individuals with DCM/R. The questionnaire comprised the following four items: HRQOL (EuroQol 5-dimensions 5-level), neck pain (numerical rating scale [NRS]), kinesiophobia (11-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia [TSK-11]), and physical activity (paid work, light exercise, walking, strength training, and gardening). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed using the NRS, TSK-11, and physical activity as independent variables.
Results
In total, 126 individuals provided analyzable responses (45.0%). After including the NRS score as an independent variable to the multiple regression equation for participants’ background, the independent rate of the regression equation significantly improved by only 4.1% (R²=0.153). The addition of the TSK-11 score significantly improved this effect by 11.1% (R2=0.264). Finally, the addition of physical activity also significantly improved the explanatory rate by 9.9% (R2=0.363).
Conclusion
Neck pain, kinesiophobia, and physical activity (specifically paid work and walking) were independently associated with HRQOL in individuals with postoperative DCM/R.

Citations

• Short‐Term Effects of Kinesio Taping on Pain and Functionality in Patients With Cervical Spine Surgery
  Masoud Amir Rashedi Bonab, Tugba Kuru Colak, Ipek Yeldan, Deniz Konya, Zafer O. Toktaş
  European Journal of Pain.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef