Neck Exercises After Thyroid Surgery

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa93 enrolled

Overview

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).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Thyroidectomy Postoperative Neck Pain

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Postoperative Neck Pain

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.

Time frame: Postoperative day 1 and postoperative day 10

Secondary Outcomes

Neck Discomfort and Early-Stage Quality of Life

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.