Pilates Exercises Versus Mirror Therapy on Shoulder Dysfunction Post Neck Dissection Surgeries

NCT ID: NCT07297706

Last Updated: 2025-12-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 52 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-04-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-10-13

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the therapeutic effects of pilates exercises and mirror therapy on shoulder dysfunction post-neck dissection surgeries.

Detailed Description

Shoulder morbidity is a significant concern for patients undergoing neck dissection in head and neck cancer treatment, with more extensive surgeries correlated with higher postoperative shoulder issues. Preservation of the spinal accessory nerve during modified radical neck dissection reduces shoulder dysfunction. Shoulder pain often results from trapezius deficits due to nerve injury, leading to symptoms like shoulder droop and loss of function. Current management of oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma focuses on selective procedures that maintain nonlymphatic structures in the neck, as extended dissections are linked to increased shoulder dysfunction. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of pilates exercises and mirror therapy in improving shoulder dysfunction after neck dissection surgeries.

Conditions

Pilates Exercise; Mirror Therapy; Shoulder Pain; Dissection

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Pilates exercises

This group will include 26 patients suffering from shoulder post-neck dissection surgeries (Modified radical and selective NDS). They will receive the pilate exercises for 40 min/session, 3 sessions/ week for 8 weeks, in addition to the traditional physical therapy program (ROM exercises, pendulum exercises, shoulder wheel exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises for shoulder muscles)

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Pilates exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

Pilates exercise aids in recovery post-breast cancer surgery by improving daily living activities, shoulder function, and quality of life. It emphasizes principles such as centralization, concentration, control, precision, flow, and breathing, enhancing muscle strength and flexibility. Additionally, mild stretching exercises contribute to maintaining and increasing range of motion, and Pilates can be tailored to individual patient needs and abilities.

Traditional physical therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

including (ROM exercises, pendulum exercises, shoulder wheel exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises for shoulder muscles)

Mirror therapy

This group will include 26 patients suffering from shoulder dysfunction post neck dissection surgeries (modified radical, and selective NDS), they will receive Mirror therapy for 40 min/session, 3 sessions/ week for 8 weeks in addition to the traditional physical therapy program (ROM exercises, pendulum exercises, shoulder wheel exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises for shoulder muscles)

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Mirror therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

Mirror therapy has been shown to enhance shoulder function in patients with shoulder problems immediately after the intervention. Three-minute of Mirror therapy improved forward flexion by 14.5° in patients with shoulder pain and limited shoulder range of motion

Traditional physical therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

including (ROM exercises, pendulum exercises, shoulder wheel exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises for shoulder muscles)

Interventions

Pilates exercises

Pilates exercise aids in recovery post-breast cancer surgery by improving daily living activities, shoulder function, and quality of life. It emphasizes principles such as centralization, concentration, control, precision, flow, and breathing, enhancing muscle strength and flexibility. Additionally, mild stretching exercises contribute to maintaining and increasing range of motion, and Pilates can be tailored to individual patient needs and abilities.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Mirror therapy

Mirror therapy has been shown to enhance shoulder function in patients with shoulder problems immediately after the intervention. Three-minute of Mirror therapy improved forward flexion by 14.5° in patients with shoulder pain and limited shoulder range of motion

Intervention Type: OTHER

Traditional physical therapy

including (ROM exercises, pendulum exercises, shoulder wheel exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises for shoulder muscles)

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Patient's age ranged between 35-55 years.

2. Both genders will participate in the study.

3. All patients suffering from shoulder dysfunction post-unilateral neck dissection surgeries ( modified radical and selective neck dissection surgeries).

4. All patients will have shoulder pain, limited ROM (flexion, abduction, external rotation) and limited shoulder function.

5. All patients will begin the treatment program 1-3 months after neck dissection surgeries.

6. All patients enrolled in the study will have their informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Subjects suffering from active malignant tumors.

2. Subjects with rotator cuff tears or other shoulder ligaments injuries.

3. A history of neck or ipsilateral shoulder injuries, pain in the last 6-month prior neck dissection surgeries.

4. Adhesive capsulitis secondary to diabetes mellitus or fractures.

5. Recurrent shoulder dislocation.

6. Recent fractures or surgeries in the shoulder.

7. Neurological disorder

8. The presence of residual local regional cancer or distant metastases to other regions.

9. Comorbid medical illness or psychiatric illness and visual disturbance that would prevent completion of treatment.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 35 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Cairo University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Yasmen gamal Elrakhawi

principal investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Kasr El Ainy Learning Hospital and National Cancer Institute

Cairo, , Egypt

Countries

Egypt

Other Identifiers

Yasmen-Msc

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id