Effect Of Implementation of Head and Neck Stretching Exercises on Pain Level And Disability Post Thyroidectomy

Introduction: Thyroid diseases are one of the most common health problems all over the world. Thyroidectomy is a common surgical procedure resulting in significant neck pain and disability postoperatively. After thyroidectomy, patients often experience discomfort such as neck pain, shoulder stiffness, shoulder movement difficulty, choking, or a pressing sensation. Head-neck stretching exercises provide neuromuscular coordination and flexibility in patients by reducing pain and muscle weakness. Aim: to evaluate the effect of implementing head-neck stretching exercises after thyroidectomy on reducing the postoperative neck pain level and disability. Design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized. Setting: This study was conducted at the head and neck surgery unit of the Alexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. Subjects: The subjects comprised 60 patients undergoing thyroidectomy. They were divided into two groups at random and equally: a study group that received neck stretching exercise training in addition to routine hospital care and a control group that received routine hospital care. Three tools were used; Tool I: Patients' socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule. Tool II: Neck pain assessment using the Indiana polyclinic combined pain scale (IPCPS). Tool III: Neck Disability Index Questionnaire (NDI). Results: There was a highly statistically significant difference between both groups regarding neck pain and disability one week and four weeks post thyroidectomy. Conclusion: Implementing head and neck stretching exercises illustrate a positive result and significant differences among both groups regarding the pain and disability mean scores. Recommendations : Neck stretching exercises should become an integral part of the care provided by nurses in their care and follow-up protocols post thyroidectomy.