Table 1 Characteristics of included studies

Conradie (2006)

South Africa

N = 21

Female = 11

Male = 10

Mean age = 47.86 (range 33–63)

Private medical practices. (not reported)

Referred by a neurosurgeon after the diagnosis of acute CR confirmed by MRI.

A physiotherapist blinded to the level(s) of nerve root involvement.

Neurological examination (muscle strength, tendon reflexes, sensation).

MRI

Cross-sectional

To determine the level(s) of nerve root involvement suggested by the distribution patterns of the clinical features and MRI and the most common associations between MRI and clinical findings in patients with acute CR.

Hassan (2013)

Pakistan

N = 77

Female = 39

Male = 38

Mean age = 46.4 ± SD 14.6 (range 16–86)

Academic clinical neurophysiology laboratory. (ten-months period)

Patients with clinical suspicion of cervical o lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Two electromyography fellows.

Neurological examination (muscle strength, tendon reflexes, sensation).

Needle EMG and NCS (motor and sensory)

Cross-sectional

To identify clinical features that would accurately predict presence of radiculopathy on EMG.

Inal (2013)

Turkey

N = 41 with cervical radiculopathy (total = 92).

Female = 33

Male = 8

Mean age = 43.54 ± SD 10.43

Not reported.

Patients with radicular complaints in the upper extremity.

Neurological examination was performed by a blinded physician.

Neurological examination (muscle strength, tendon reflexes, sensation).

Needle EMG and NCS (motor and sensory)

Cross-sectional

To evaluate the relationship between neurological examination and ENMG findings in patients with suspected radiculopathies.

Lauder (2000)

U.S.A.

N = 183 (96 CR, 45 normal studies, 42 abnormal electrodiagnostic findings other than radiculopathy)

Female = 84

Male = 99

Mean age = 46 ± SD 10

Five different medical centers. (May 1996–September 1997)

All subjects with neck and upper-limb symptoms who were referred to the participating EDX laboratories to rule out the presence of CR by electrodiagnosis were asked to participate.

Faculty certified by the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine or their supervised resident physician.

Neurological examination (muscle strength, tendon reflexes, sensation).

Needle EMG and NCS (motor and sensory)

Cross-sectional

To determine the effectiveness of medical history and physical examination in predicting electrodiagnostic outcome in patients with suspected CR.

Sleijser-Koehorst, (2021) Netherlands

N = 134

Female = 65

Male = 69

Mean age = 49.9 ± SD 10.7

Multidisciplinary clinic. (not reported)

Patients with a suspicious of CR.

All clinical tests were performed by an experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapist.

Neurological examination (muscle strength, tendon reflexes, sensation).

MRI

Cross-sectional

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of patient interview items and clinical test to diagnose CR.

Wainner (2003)

U.S.A.

N = 82

Female = 41

Male = 41

Mean age = 45 ± SD 12 (range 18–70)

Four medical facilities. (December 1998–April 2000)

Patients with suspected CR.

Two physiotherapists blinded to the subjects’ suspected diagnosis.

Neurological examination (muscle strength, tendon reflexes, sensation).

Needle EMG and NCS (motor and sensory)

Cross-sectional

To assess the reliability and accuracy of individual clinical examination items and self-report instruments (VAS and NDI) for the diagnosis of CR.