Role of Stretching Exercises on Reducing Neck Pain and Stiffness Following Thyroidectomy

Shazia  Muheen; Maha  Zafar; Maryam  Safdar; Sidra  Majeed; Zain  Ali; Zainab  Sagheer

doi:10.29054/apmc/2023.1040

Shazia Muheen Physiotherapist, Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad Pakistan
Maha Zafar Physiotherapist, Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad Pakistan
Maryam Safdar Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad Pakistan
Sidra Majeed Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad Pakistan
Zain Ali Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy, The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad Pakistan
Zainab Sagheer Medical Officer, Kausar Mehmood Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2023.1040

Keywords: Stretching exercises, Neck pain, Neck stiffness, Thyroidectomy

Abstract

Background: Thyroidectomy, a common surgical procedure for thyroid diseases and carcinoma has major complication of neck pain and stiffness due to patient’s hyper extended position during procedure. Objective: The main purpose of the study was to find the effectiveness of stretching exercises on decreasing neck pain and maximizing ROM in patients with thyroidectomy. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial. Settings: Madinah Teaching Hospital and Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: 30^th December 2018 to 23^rd May 2019. Methods: This RCT recruited 40 patients that meet inclusion criteria and were randomly divided into two groups. Treatment group performed neck stretching exercises, home exercise plan along with routine care. Control group only received routine care. Primary outcomes were neck pain recorded by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and neck range of motion (ROMs) measured by Universal Goniometry. Secondary outcome of study was neck stiffness measured by Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS). Statistical analysis was done through SPSS version 20. Results: Results shows neck pain was significantly reduced in treatment group after 1 week of discharge. There was significant difference in cervical ROMs (neck flexion, neck extension, neck flexion, neck right rotation, left and right-side flexion) between both groups. Mean CNFDS score 1 week after discharge in treatment group was significantly lower than the control group with p value=0.00. All three parameters in treatment group at 1 week after discharge shows pronounced improvement. Conclusion: Combination of guided neck stretching exercise program during hospital stay and a comprehensive well understood home exercise plan followed by patients undergoing thyroidectomy, proved to be beneficial in terms of neck pain, neck ROM and neck stiffness.