View clinical trials related to Accessory Nerve Injuries.
Filter by:The majority of head and neck cancers develop locally and regionally. Therefore, to reduce the risk of metastasis, 90% of surgeries performed in the head and neck area include the removal of regional lymph nodes and delivery of radiotherapy. As a consequence of radical surgery affecting the lymphatic system in the neck area, there exists a risk of damage to the cervical plexus branch (C1-C4) or the accessory nerve. Patients with damage to this nerve develop disability involving limitations to the head flexion, extension, and rotation, asymmetric shoulder blades, disturbed shoulder joint abduction, flexion, and external rotation (supination). Additionally, patients often suffer from pain, numbness, swelling, and body asymmetry. Subject literature does not describe in a detailed and comprehensive way the physiotherapeutic procedures to be applied in case of a damaged accessory nerve as a complication after cancer treatment. Unfortunately, it is often related to patients' limited access to an effective therapy. Available information on the rehabilitation procedures is limited and it mostly focuses on exercise recommendations. An analysis of the subject literature does not show any information on the efficiency of applying the myofascial techniques for treating deficiencies related to the damage of the accessory nerve. In the current project the investigators plan to assess the effectiveness of a physical therapy intervention comprising myofascial techniques as compared to a set of exercises designed for performing individually in head and neck cancer patients with accessory nerve damage after surgical head and neck cancer treatment. The primary outcome will be physiotherapeutic procedures to be applied in case of a damaged accessory nerve as a complication after cancer treatment. The secondary outcomes will include the efficiency of applying the myofascial techniques for treating deficiencies related to the damage of the accessory nerve.
The investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial examining 12-week, 24-week and one year outcomes from a combined therapeutic and physical exercise program that aims to bridge head-and-neck cancer survivors from acute care rehabilitation services to community-based exercise programming.