Research on the Effectiveness of Remote Rehabilitation l for Shoulder and Neck Recovery in Oral Cancer Patients After Selective Neck Dissection

Research on the Effectiveness of Remote Rehabilitation l for Shoulder and Neck Recovery in Oral Cancer Patients After Selective Neck Dissection

Consecutive patients undergoing oral cancer treatment at the hospital were enrolled and randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group using a random number table. The control group received standard postoperative rehabilitation, including instructional manuals and exercise videos, to ensure proper rehabilitation training and precautions after discharge. Rehabilitation physicians assessed outcomes and provided guidance during follow-up visits. The experimental group adopted the "Internet +" remote rehabilitation model. Patients were instructed to download a rehabilitation follow-up app, which provided daily exercise reminders. Patients logged their completed exercises and periodically recorded rehabilitation videos. Rehabilitation physicians remotely evaluated and guided patients based on the submitted videos. Shoulder and neck function were assessed using the Constant-Murley Shoulder Score and Neck Dissection Impairment Index (NDII) at preoperative, 10-day, 1-month, and 3-month postoperative intervals.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Primary oral cancer patients with surgical indications who provided informed consent and underwent surgical treatment including neck dissection with spinal accessory nerve preservation.
• Able to understand and provide informed consent for rehabilitation training, cooperative with training and required follow-ups.
• No history of conditions affecting shoulder mobility, including scapulohumeral periarthritis, cervical spondylosis, myofascial pain syndrome, or rheumatic diseases.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous surgery or trauma in the neck and shoulder region, or prior neck lymph node dissection.
• Pre-existing shoulder and neck pain, abnormal bilateral shoulder and neck range of motion, or abnormal muscle strength.
• Severe systemic underlying diseases that prevent cooperation with examinations.
• Underwent radical neck dissection or received postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy that may affect shoulder and neck mobility.