A Study to Assess the Efficacy of Early Physical Therapy Intervention Following a Modified Unilateral Neck Dissection for Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

A Randomized Study to Assess the Efficacy of Early Physical Therapy Intervention on Upper Quarter Strength and Mobility, and Reported Upper Extremity Disability and Quality of Life Measures Following a Modified Unilateral Neck Dissection for Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01729065

Enrollment

Registered

2012-11-20

Start date

2010-01-31

Completion date

2015-05-31

Last updated

2015-05-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Weakness Following Neck Dissection Surgery

Keywords

Spinal Accessory Nerve Palsy, Cranial Nerve XI, shoulder weakness, neck stiffness, head and neck cancer, neck dissection

Brief summary

This study will determine whether patients who receive regular physical therapy immediately following a modified neck dissection surgery will report decreased shoulder disability, decreased pain, improved or maintained shoulder range of motion and strength, and improved quality of life than those who receive only home instruction.

Interventions

OTHERPhysical therapy intervention

Exercises addressing cervical range of motion, shoulder range of motion and strengthening and scapular stabilization.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 85 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Adults age 18-85, able to give informed consent * Subject has provided written informed consent * Received Modified Unilateral Neck Dissection with sparing of the SAN * Not currently using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a pain relieving modality * Not currently receiving acupuncture as a pain relieving modality * Able to participate with treatment group protocol including physical therapy appointment every other week

Exclusion criteria

* History of prior shoulder injury or surgery including rotator cuff repair or total shoulder arthroplasty. * History of CVA with hemi paresis * Bilateral neck dissection * Known severed SAN

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand	12, 24, 36 weeks	A standardized outcome tool which will be used to measure change in the level of disability related to involvement of the upper extremity at 12, 24, and 36 weeks compared to baseline.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
SF-36	12, 24, 36 weeks	General health survey.

Other

Measure	Time frame	Description
Visual Analog Scale	12, 24, 36 weeks	Pain Scale
Strength, range of motion of the neck and shoulder	12, 24, 36 weeks	Measurements of shoulder range of motion and strength, cervical range of motion

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026