Pilates Exercises Versus Mirror Therapy on Shoulder Dysfunction Post Neck Dissection Surgeries

NCT07297706 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Yasmen-Msc
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the therapeutic effects of pilates exercises and mirror therapy on shoulder dysfunction post-neck dissection surgeries.

Conditions

Pilates Exercise; Mirror Therapy; Shoulder Pain; Dissection

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• assessment of pain intensity

  Participants in both groups will mark a number on a 10-cm line (0 to 10) to indicate their pain level, with 10 being the most painful. Pain ratings during exercise was assessed at baseline (pre-treatment) and after 8 weeks of treatment (post-treatment) using visual analogue numeric pain scale

  at baseline and after 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• assessment of shoulder flexion range of motion

  at baseline and after 8 weeks

• Assessment of shoulder external rotation range of motion

  at baseline and after 8 weeks

• Assessment of the shoulder abduction range of motion

  at baseline and after 8 weeks

• assessment of upper limb function

  at baseline and after 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Pilates exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will include 26 patients suffering from shoulder post-neck dissection surgeries (Modified radical and selective NDS). They will receive the pilate exercises for 40 min/session, 3 sessions/ week for 8 weeks, in addition to the traditional physical therapy program (ROM exercises, pendulum exercises, shoulder wheel exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises for shoulder muscles)

Other: Pilates exercises; Other: Traditional physical therapy

Mirror therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group will include 26 patients suffering from shoulder dysfunction post neck dissection surgeries (modified radical, and selective NDS), they will receive Mirror therapy for 40 min/session, 3 sessions/ week for 8 weeks in addition to the traditional physical therapy program (ROM exercises, pendulum exercises, shoulder wheel exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises for shoulder muscles)

Other: Mirror therapy; Other: Traditional physical therapy

Interventions

Pilates exercises OTHER

Pilates exercise aids in recovery post-breast cancer surgery by improving daily living activities, shoulder function, and quality of life. It emphasizes principles such as centralization, concentration, control, precision, flow, and breathing, enhancing muscle strength and flexibility. Additionally, mild stretching exercises contribute to maintaining and increasing range of motion, and Pilates can be tailored to individual patient needs and abilities.

Pilates exercises

Mirror therapy OTHER

Mirror therapy has been shown to enhance shoulder function in patients with shoulder problems immediately after the intervention. Three-minute of Mirror therapy improved forward flexion by 14.5° in patients with shoulder pain and limited shoulder range of motion

Mirror therapy

Traditional physical therapy OTHER

including (ROM exercises, pendulum exercises, shoulder wheel exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises for shoulder muscles)

Mirror therapy; Pilates exercises

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 35 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Patient's age ranged between 35-55 years.
• Both genders will participate in the study.
• All patients suffering from shoulder dysfunction post-unilateral neck dissection surgeries ( modified radical and selective neck dissection surgeries).
• All patients will have shoulder pain, limited ROM (flexion, abduction, external rotation) and limited shoulder function.
• All patients will begin the treatment program 1-3 months after neck dissection surgeries.
• All patients enrolled in the study will have their informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Subjects suffering from active malignant tumors.
• Subjects with rotator cuff tears or other shoulder ligaments injuries.
• A history of neck or ipsilateral shoulder injuries, pain in the last 6-month prior neck dissection surgeries.
• Adhesive capsulitis secondary to diabetes mellitus or fractures.
• Recurrent shoulder dislocation.
• Recent fractures or surgeries in the shoulder.
• Neurological disorder
• The presence of residual local regional cancer or distant metastases to other regions.
• Comorbid medical illness or psychiatric illness and visual disturbance that would prevent completion of treatment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kasr El Ainy Learning Hospital and National Cancer Institute

Cairo, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Shoulder Pain

Interventions

Exercise Movement Techniques; Mirror Movement Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthralgia; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 9, 2025
• First Posted: December 22, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 13, 2025
• Study Completion: October 13, 2025
• Last Updated: December 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)