Effect of Educational Guidelines regarding Stretching Exercise on Postoperative Neck Pressure Symptoms, pain, and Quality of Life post Thyroid Surgery

Ibrahim Ahmed Abdou Abd El Rahman, Badr; Tag Mohamed Mohamed, Amira; Mohamed Ahmed Ayed, Manal; Ali Ali Elsaadany, Samia

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2022.367798

Effect of Educational Guidelines regarding Stretching Exercise on Postoperative Neck Pressure Symptoms, pain, and Quality of Life post Thyroid Surgery

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Fellow Medical Surgical Nursing, University Student Hospital, Mansoura University

² Alazhar University Hospital, Fellow of Medical-Surgical Nursing, New Damietta

³ Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University, Egypt

⁴ Lecturer in the Medical-Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University

10.21608/ejhc.2022.367798

Abstract

Background: After a variety of surgical procedures, including thoracotomy, mastectomy, and orthopaedic surgery, stretching exercises help with muscle pain reduction, enhance range of motion, flexibility, functioning, and neuromuscular coordination.. Aim: To investigate the effect of educational guidelines regarding stretching exercise on postoperative neck pressure symptoms, pain, and quality of life post thyroid surgery. Subjects and method: Design: A quasi-experimental research design was used to achieve the aim of this study. Setting: The study was conducted in the surgical department at Mansoura University Hospital. Subjects: A purposive sample of 60 adult patients admitted to the above-mentioned setting and undergoing thyroidectomy. Three Tools were used for data collection: Tool I: Structured Interviewing Questionnaire, Tool II: The Goiter Symptom scale, Tool III: Neck Pain Disability index Questionnaire, and Tool IV: The generic QoL was measured by the validated EQ5D-5L questionnaire. Results: There were no significant statistical differences between them regarding total knowledge level during pre-operative period. However, it was significantly different disability post Educational guidelines implementation. In the study group experienced more improvements in the Goiter symptom and hyperthyroid symptom scale of the ThyPRO questionnaire than in the control. There was a highly statistically significant difference between the patients in the study and control groups about the level of pain & disability post Educational guidelines implementation. Also, a highly statistically significant difference and improvement among the patients in study group regarding QoL than control group post Educational guidelines implementation. Conclusion: Educational guidelines implementation regarding stretching exercise has positive effects on reducing postoperative neck pressure symptoms, pain, and improving quality of life post thyroid surgery. Recommendation: Neck stretching exercises should become an integral part of the care provided by nurses in their care and follow-up protocols post thyroidectomy. Replication of the study using a larger probability sample from different geographical areas to attain more generalizable results.

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