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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).
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postoperative Neck Exercise Program | Experimental | Patients received a structured postoperative neck range-of-motion and isometric strengthening exercise program in addition to standard postoperative care. |
|
| Standard Postoperative Care | No Intervention | Patients received standard postoperative care without a structured exercise program. |
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postoperative Neck Exercise Program | Other | 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. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Postoperative day 1 and postoperative day 10 |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Postoperative day 1 and postoperative day 10 |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Mertcan Ak, MD | Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery | Istanbul | Istanbul | 34096 | Turkey (Türkiye) |
Individual participant data will not be shared.
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