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NCT Number: NCT07707401

Effectiveness of WeChat-Supported Neck Rehabilitation Exercises on Early Recovery After Thyroidectomy

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and implementation outcomes of a WeChat mini program-supported tele-neck rehabilitation exercises for improving early postoperative neck recovery after thyroidectomy.

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Key information

Conditions

Thyroid Diseases Endocrine Gland Neoplasms Endocrine System Diseases Head and Neck Neoplasms Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Postoperative Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Postoperative Pain Signs and Symptoms Surgery Thyroid Cancer Thyroid Neoplasms

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200233, China

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Ling Zhan, Doctor

CONTACT

[email protected]

08615821120972

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Undergoing thyroid surgery
  • Postoperative condition stable, with the attending physician assessing the patient as fit for neck movement
  • Willing to participate in the study, complete scheduled follow-ups, and sign a written informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

  • History of prior thyroid or neck surgery
  • History of cervical spondylosis, cervical spine surgery, neck trauma, or other conditions affecting neck mobility
  • Postoperative complications rendering the patient unsuitable for neck movement training, such as confirmed recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, chyle leak, or complications requiring reoperation or prolonged drainage, or incision infection
  • Persistent postoperative dizziness or other conditions unsuitable for exercise
  • Unable to use WeChat and lacking assistance from family members

Treatment and study plan

WeChat-supported Neck Rehabilitation Exercise

Behavioral

WeChat mini program-supported neck exercise management includes daily exercise reminders, exercise check-ins, symptom reporting, automated abnormal symptom prompts, and standardized remote feedback from the research team.

Standardized Postoperative Care and Video Education

Behavioral

This intervention consists of standard clinical postoperative care and discharge education, encompassing wound management, follow-up appointments, and generic neck activity guidelines. Prior to discharge or upon clinical stability, participants undergo a one-time, face-to-face training session with research staff featuring practical exercise demonstrations and behavioral precautions, and are provided with identical instructional video materials for home reference.

Primary outcomes

  1. Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS) Score

    Time frame: Postoperative day 3, week 1, week 2, and month 1

    The NPDS is used to evaluate post-surgical neck pain and its multi-dimensional impact on daily living, emotions, work, and social activities. The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores representing more severe neck pain and structural functional impairment.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Neck Movement Pain Score

    Time frame: Postoperative day 3, week 1, week 2, and month 1

    Assessment of localized pain severity provoked during active cervical movements, including neck flexion, extension, left/right lateral flexion, and left/right rotation. Each of the six movements is scored categorically as 0 (painless), 1 (mild pain), or 2 (severe pain), yielding a cumulative score range of 0 to 12. Higher total scores indicate more pronounced motion-induced cervical pain.

  2. Digital Health App Adherence and Feasibility Metrics

    Time frame: Up to 1 month post-operation

    Quantitative measures tracking patient engagement with the digital platform, defined by the digital questionnaire completion rates, loss to follow-up rates, cumulative exercise mini-program check-in days, and consecutive check-in days.

  3. Incidence of Surgical Complications and Intervention-Related Adverse Events

    Time frame: Up to 1 month post-operation

    Safety endpoints mapping the frequency and severity of post-surgical complications (e.g., wound bleeding/hematoma, incision dehiscence, surgical site infection) or any adverse events deemed by the investigator to be potentially related to the physical exercise regimen (e.g., severe motion-induced pain exacerbation, acute dizziness).

  4. Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)

    Time frame: Postoperative week 1 and month 1

    Objective clinical measurement of neck mobility, quantifying the exact degrees of cervical movement achieved during forward flexion, backward extension, left/right lateral flexion, and left/right rotation, assessed by a blinded investigator.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ling Zhan, Dr

CONTACT

[email protected]

+8615821120972

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Shanghai 6th People's Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of WeChat-Supported Neck Rehabilitation Exercises on Early Recovery After Thyroidectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2029
First posted
Jul 16, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 16, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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