Impact of Manual Therapy on Laryngeal Function Following Total Thyroidectomy

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · Apr 22, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how effective a combination of voice therapy techniques can be for people who experience changes in their voice or swallowing after having their thyroid gland completely removed (a procedure known as total thyroidectomy). The researchers want to find out if adding neck massage, stretching exercises, and education about pain can help improve these issues compared to just using voice exercises and scar massage alone. They hope to determine if these additional techniques can make a difference in how patients feel about their swallowing, voice, and overall quality of life after surgery.

To participate in the study, you need to be at least 18 years old and scheduled for a total thyroidectomy due to thyroid disease. You should be a native English speaker and have no previous voice therapy. Those who smoke or have certain voice or throat conditions may not be eligible. Participants will attend a total of four visits with their surgeon and five sessions with a speech therapist, where they'll practice exercises and keep a journal of their home practice. This trial is currently recruiting participants, so if you think this might apply to you, consider discussing it with your healthcare provider.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• 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 radiation, chronic cervical pain or cervicalgia, abnormal baseline swallowing
• • have underlying and, or plan to change supplemental hormones
• • greater than 10% otherwise unexplained weight loss
• • had a recent aspiration pneumonia
• • history of esophageal interventions or surgeries