BACKGROUND: Cervical radiculopathy (CR), which is most often stems from degenerative disease in the cervical spine, has increasingly become a common and frequently occurring disease in clinic due to the popularity of electronic products, such as computes and cell phones. Some studies have shown that exercise or exercise combined with other treatments can effectively decrease pain and improve functional status. The objective was to analyze the effects of exercise for treating patients with CR. METHODS: Seven databases were searched from inception to December 2018. Randomized controlled trials involving exercise alone or exercise combined with conventional treatment were enrolled. Data were pooled after trials quality assessment for meta-analysis. Outcomes were pain (visual analog scale (VAS)), quality of life (12-short Form Health Survey, 36-short Form Health Survey), and physical function accessed by Neck Disability Index (NDI). RESULTS: Ten studies involving 871 participants with CR were included. Meta-analysis revealed that compared with control group, there was a reduction in VAS (standardized mean difference -0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.34 to -0.44; z = 3.89; p < 0.001). There was also an improvement of NDI (mean difference -3.60; 95% CI -6.27 to -0.94; z = 2.65; p = 0.008)). Additionally, although the results of subgroup analyses were changed due to the paucity of the quantity and quality of the included studies. The pooled results were verified to be stable by sensitivity analyses. Besides, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation level of evidence is low for each outcome. CONCLUSION: Exercise alone or exercise plus other treatment may be helpful to patients with CR. However, exercise option should be carefully considered for each patient with CR in accordance with their different situations. Large-scale studies using proper methodology are recommended.

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