The MOVE-IT study is a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of surgery versus personalised multimodal physiotherapy for patients with painful cervical radiculopathy. Using a non-inferiority design, the study aims to determine whether specialised physiotherapy provides a viable, less invasive alternative to surgical treatment.
Project title:
MOVE-IT: personalised multimodal physiotherapy compared to surgery in patients with painful cervical radiculopathy
PI: Wendy Scholten-Peeters
Project status: ongoing
Financed by: Dutch Association of Manual Therapy (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Manuele Therapie, NVMT)
Study design and methods
Painful cervical radiculopathy is a disabling condition. Patients frequently endure sharp, radiating arm pain, tingling, and muscle weakness that make daily tasks hard to perform. When conservative treatments fail, surgery is often considered as the next logical step. However, personalised multimodal physiotherapy might provide a good alternative. Therefore, the MOVE-IT study will answer the question: Is personalised multimodal physiotherapy non-inferior compared to a surgical treatment?
This multicentre randomised controlled trial is designed to compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness of these two treatments. By focusing on non-inferiority, the study aims to prove that physiotherapy is a safe and effective alternative that avoids the risks and recovery time associated with neck surgery.
Key findings and clinical implications
Over a 12-month follow-up period, the MOVE-IT study will track disability, functional recovery, and societal costs. By providing high-quality evidence, this research seeks to empower clinicians and patients to choose the most effective, least invasive treatment toward long-term recovery from cervical radiculopathy.
