Trial reportEuropean archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery2026
The impact of perioperative neck stretching exercises on post-thyroidectomy neck discomfort, voice, and quality of life: a randomized controlled trial.
Trial report in European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Post-thyroidectomy anterior neck dysfunction: clinical phenotypes, mechanisms, and comprehensive management.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026Review
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5 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundNeck discomfort and reduced quality of life (QoL) are common after thyroidectomy. While postoperative neck stretching exercises have shown mixed results, the effect of initiating exercises before surgery has not been adequately studied.
objectiveTo compare the impact of preoperative versus postoperative neck stretching exercises on postoperative neck pain, voice changes, and quality of life in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.
methodsThis was a single-center, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial conducted at a tertiary hospital in India between August 2022 and August 2024. Adults undergoing thyroidectomy for benign disease were randomized to either Group 1 (exercises starting two weeks preoperatively and continuing four weeks postoperatively) or Group 2 (exercises starting on postoperative day 1 and continuing for four weeks). Both groups followed a standardized neck stretching protocol. Outcomes were assessed using the ThyPRO-39Hin, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for neck pain, and EQ-5D-5 L at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.
resultsA total of 85 patients were randomized (Group 1: n = 42, Group 2: n = 43). Both groups showed significant improvement in ThyPRO-39Hin scores over time, but no significant difference was observed between groups. Voice outcomes (VHI-10) were comparable. However, Group 1 (preoperative exercises) reported significantly lower neck pain scores at 1 month (median NRS 0 vs. 2; p = 0.002) and trend towards a better EQ-5D VAS scores (p = 0.05).
conclusionPreoperative initiation of neck stretching exercises may offer superior early postoperative pain relief and improved perceived recovery compared to starting exercises postoperatively. This low-cost intervention is easily implementable and may serve as a valuable component of surgical prehabilitation in thyroidectomy patients.
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