Effects of a Home-Based Exercise Program During Radiotherapy

Burak Ertürk

Status: Completed

Conditions: Head and Neck Cancer

Treatments: Procedure: Home-based exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07376213

E-77082166-302.08.01-805534

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of exercise on individuals with head and neck cancer who are receiving postoperative radiotherapy.

The study is based on three primary hypotheses:

1. Exercise may help reduce or prevent the loss of normal range of motion that can occur during radiotherapy.
2. Exercise may help maintain muscle strength or lead to improvements in muscle strength.
3. Exercise may help maintain or improve postural alignment.

Enrollment: 24 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
• Undergoing unilateral neck dissection surgery.
• Scheduled to receive curative radiotherapy.
• Age 18 years or older.
• Willingness to participate and ability to comprehend exercise instructions.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of distant metastasis.
• Presence of a tracheostomy.
• History of previous trauma or surgery involving the shoulder or cervical region.
• Neurological disorders affecting upper quadrant function. Recurrence of disease during the study period.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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24 participants in 2 patient groups

Structured Home-Based Physiotherapy Program

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the intervention group will receive instruction in a structured home-based exercise program to be implemented throughout the radiotherapy period. Adherence, technique, and progression will be monitored and reinforced through weekly in-person sessions with a qualified professional.

Treatment:

Procedure: Home-based exercise

Usual Care / Standard Follow-Up

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in the control group will receive only radiotherapy and will not undergo any physiotherapy interventions during this period. At the end of the radiotherapy, both groups will be re-evaluated, and participants in the control group will then be provided with appropriate treatment and home-based exercise programs.