NCT06383091NARecruiting

Impact of Manual Therapy on Laryngeal Function Following Total Thyroidectomy

Johns Hopkins University

Start Date

6/3/2024

Completion Date

12/1/2027

Summary

In this clinical trial, the investigators are seeking to learn if a course of voice therapy, including neck massage, stretches and pain science education in addition to voice exercise and scar massage will effectively treatment patient complaints of swallowing or voice changes after total thyroidectomy as compared to voice exercise and scar massage alone. The main questions it aims to answer are: Will neck massage, stretches and pain science education reduce patient complaints of swallowing changes after total thyroidectomy? Will neck massage, stretches and pain science education reduce patient complaints of voice changes after total thyroidectomy? Will neck massage, stretches and pain science education reduce patient complaints of scar tethering and quality changes after total thyroidectomy? Will neck massage, stretches and pain science education improve quality of life after total thyroidectomy? Participants will: Participate in 4 visits with the participant's endocrine/laryngology surgeon. One prior and 3 after surgery for endoscopic evaluation and tests. Participate in 5 Speech-Language Pathology Sessions for intervention exercises and tests. One prior and 4 after surgery. Complete a journal of the participant's Home Exercise Practice

Eligibility Criteria

Age Range: 18 years to No maximum

Inclusion Criteria: * The study population consists of individuals with malignant or benign thyroid disease scheduled to undergo total thyroidectomy * native speakers of English * All patients will be greater than or equal to 18 years of age Exclusion Criteria: * Participants will be excluded if they have completed voice therapy prior * are current smokers * have organic vocal fold pathology or clear mucosal changes to the vocal folds that can affect vibration (e.g., vocal fold scar, polyp, or nodules), * pre-existing unilateral or bilateral vocal fold paralysis * have had prior surgical neck or chest history including central or lateral neck dissection * pre- or post-operative abscess or inflammation * have a history of head, neck, or chest radiation, diagnosed baseline oral or pharyngeal dysphagia * have recently started taking in the last 3 months, plan to start taking or increase the level of testosterone during the treatment period * greater than 10% otherwise unexplained weight loss * had a recent aspiration pneumonia

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Anterior Neck Manual Therapy

BEHAVIORAL

Pain Neuroscience Education

BEHAVIORAL

Neck Stretches

BEHAVIORAL

Scar massage

BEHAVIORAL

Voice Exercises

BEHAVIORAL

Placebo Anterior Neck Manual Therapy

BEHAVIORAL

Placebo Pain Neuroscience Education

BEHAVIORAL

Placebo Neck Stretches

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Conditions

Total Thyroidectomy

Locations

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore, Maryland 21287

United States

Suburban Hospital

Bethesda, Maryland 20817

United States