Maximizing shoulder function after XXXX and neck dissection surgery: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

@entity9286 @entity1 @entity409 @entity158
BACKGROUND: Shoulder @entity158 and @entity409 after neck dissection may result from @entity9286 . The effect of early physical therapy in the form of intensive scapular strengthening exercises is unknown. METHODS: A total of 59 neck dissection @entity1 were prospectively recruited for this study. @entity1 were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 32), consisting of progressive scapular strengthening exercises for 12 weeks, or the control group (n = 29). Blinded assessment occurred at baseline, and at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Three-month data were collected on 52 @entity1 /53 shoulders. Per-protocol analysis demonstrated that the intervention group had statistically significantly higher active shoulder abduction at 3 months compared to the control group (+26.6  ; 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.28-45.95; p = .007). CONCLUSION: The intervention is a favorable treatment for maximizing shoulder abduction in the short term. The effect of the intervention compared to usual care is uncertain in the longer term.    2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 1022-1031, 2015.
