Table 2 Bedside neurologic examination procedures. NR = Not reported

Conradie (2006)

South Africa

“A standardized interview and a neurological examination as described by Butler (2000). (…) The neurologic examination consisted of skin sensation (light touch, superficial pain, hot and cold detection threshold), deep sensation (pain, proprioception and vibration), muscle function (muscle atrophy, tremors and/or fasciculation, muscle strength, and functional tests), and deep tendon reflexes (spinal reflexes, superficial skin reflexes and Central Nervous System reflexes). (…) Findings of the neurologic examination were graded as either normal or altered in comparison to the opposite extremity.”

C5

Shoulder abduction

Biceps

Deltoid, lateral upper, radial forearm but not into hand

C6

Elbow flexion

Biceps

Radial forearm thumb

C7

Elbow extension

Triceps

Posterior forearm middle finger

C8

Thumb extension

Triceps

Ulnar forearm little finger

Hassan (2013)

Pakistan

“All patients underwent a complete history, general physical examination, and neurological examination. (…) Dermatomal sensory loss was defined as reduced pinprick sensation that maps to a dermatomal distribution, ipsilateral to the symptomatic side. Segmental reflex loss was defined as a deep-tendon reflex response ipsilateral to the symptomatic side that was either absent, or asymmetrically reduced compared with the opposite side. Myotomal weakness was defined as any detectable weakness in a myotomal distribution, ipsilateral to the symptomatic side.”

NR

NR

NR

NR

Inal (2013)

Turkey

“Motor, sensory and deep tendon reflexes and pathological reflexes were tested. (…) Sensory loss was recorded according to the dermatomes. Results of physical examination was recorded as normal or abnormal. Hypoestesia, motor weakness and asymmetry of deep tendon reflexes were accepted as signs of positive of physical examination for a radiculopathy. “

NR

NR

NR

NR

Lauder (2000)

U.S.A.

“The three physical examination findings evaluated were sensation (vibration and pinprick), reflexes (biceps, brachioradialis, and triceps), and weakness by manual muscle testing. (…) Each parameter was recorded as a binary variable (normal/abnormal). Sensation was recorded as abnormal when either vibration or pinprick was reduced on the side of the lesion. The distribution of the sensory loss was also noted. Reflexes were recorded as abnormal when a reflex on the side of the lesion was reduced compared with the same reflex on the opposite side. Weakness was described as any muscle with a manual muscle grading of less than 5/5 (normal) on the side of the lesion.”

NR

NR

NR

NR

Sleijser-Koehorst, (2021) Netherlands

“The clinical examination consisted of (…) and a clinical neurological examination (sensation, reflexes and muscle tests). (…) A soft cotton ball and Somedic soft brush was swept gently along the skin three times at the most painful dermatomal area, and compared with the corresponding area on the other side. This test was considered positive if there was hypoesthaesia in the most painful site. Biceps and triceps tendon reflexes were tested in a seated position according to a previously published protocol. This test was considered positive if one or both tendon reflexes were reduced. Muscle strength test was considered positive if one or more of these muscles showed reduced strength.”

C6

Biceps

Any

Any

C7

Triceps

C8

Adductor pollicis

Abductor digiti minmi

T1

Interossei palmaris

Wainner (2003)

U.S.A.

“All manual muscle testing was conducted using the methods of Kendall and McCreary. Each muscle test was graded as markedly reduced, reduced, or normal, as compared with the uninvolved extremity. (…) Muscle stretch reflexes were tested bilaterally using a standard reflex hammer. Each reflex was graded as absent/reduced, normal, or increased, as compared with the uninvolved extremity. Pin-prick sensation testing was performed for the cervical dermatomes (C5–C8) by touching the skin in a key area for each respective sensory level with a paper clip, which was discarded after testing. Each sensory level was graded as reduced, normal, or increased.”

C5

Deltoid

Biceps

Brachioradialis

Cervical dermatomes (C5–C8) by touching the skin in a key area according to Viikari-Juntura E., 1987

C6

Biceps,

Wrist extensor

Brachioradialis

Biceps

C7

Triceps Wrist flexors

Triceps

C8

Abductor pollicus brevis

T1

Dorsal interossei