Cervical Range of Motion, Isometric Exercises, Postoperative Neck Pain, Quality of Life (QOL), Thyroidectomy
Conditions
Keywords
thyroidectomy, postoperative neck pain, quality of life, cervical range of motion, isometric exercises
Brief summary
Postoperative neck pain is common after thyroidectomy and may impair early recovery. This prospective randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of postoperative neck range-of-motion (ROM) and isometric strengthening exercises on neck pain and early-stage quality of life in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Between November 2024 and April 2025, 93 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were enrolled. Surgical indications included multinodular goiter, Graves' disease, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy results classified as Bethesda categories III-VI. Patients were randomized into an intervention group (n = 48) and a control group (n = 45). Patients in the intervention group performed cervical ROM and isometric strengthening exercises from postoperative day 1 to day 10, while the control group received standard postoperative care without a structured exercise program. Both groups were evaluated on postoperative days 1 and 10. Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and quality of life was assessed using the Neck Pain, Discomfort, and Early-Stage Quality of Life Questionnaire (NPDEPQ).
Interventions
OTHERPostoperative Neck Exercise Program
A structured postoperative program including neck range-of-motion and isometric strengthening exercises, initiated on postoperative day 1 and performed for 10 consecutive days, three times daily.
Sponsors
Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 18 years or older * Patients who underwent thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter, Graves' disease, or fine-needle aspiration biopsy results classified as Bethesda categories III, IV, V, or VI * Ability to understand and comply with the study protocol * Provision of written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Age younger than 18 years * History of previous neck surgery * Cervical disc herniation * Parathyroidectomy * Hashimoto's thyroiditis * Refusal to provide written informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postoperative Neck Pain | Postoperative day 1 and postoperative day 10 | Postoperative neck pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Assessments were performed on postoperative day 1 before discharge and on postoperative day 10 during follow-up by a blinded outcome assessor. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Neck Discomfort and Early-Stage Quality of Life | Postoperative day 1 and postoperative day 10 | Neck discomfort and early-stage quality of life were evaluated using the Neck Pain, Discomfort, and Early-Stage Quality of Life Questionnaire (NPDEPQ). Assessments were conducted on postoperative day 1 and postoperative day 10 by a blinded outcome assessor. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMertcan Ak, MD
Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery
Outcome results
None listed