title: Maximizing shoulder function after accessory nerve injury and neck dissection surgery: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Shoulder pain and dysfunction after neck dissection may result from injury to the accessory nerve. The effect of early physical therapy in the form of intensive scapular strengthening exercises is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 59 neck dissection participants were prospectively recruited for this study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 32), consisting of progressive scapular strengthening exercises for 12 weeks, or the control group (n = 29). Blinded assessment occurred at baseline, and at 3, 6, and 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three-month data were collected on 52 participants/53 shoulders. Per-protocol analysis demonstrated that the intervention group had statistically significantly higher active shoulder abduction at 3 months compared to the control group (+26.6°; 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.28-45.95; p = .007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention is a favorable treatment for maximizing shoulder abduction in the short term. The effect of the intervention compared to usual care is uncertain in the longer term.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.|School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Aoife C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: McGarvey
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.|John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Gary R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Osmotherly
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Pauline E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Chiarelli
mesh_terms: D061227:Accessory Nerve Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012782:Shoulder / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: accessory nerve; neck dissection; physical therapy; shoulder dysfunction