Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Pain and Quality of Life in Thyroid Cancer

NCT07623005 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: TUF/EIRB/ 206 /26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Thyroid cancer patients often experience pain and reduced quality of life during chemotherapy. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) exercises, added to routine range-of-motion exercises, reduce pain and improve quality of life compared to range-of-motion exercises alone. Thirty-two thyroid cancer patients randomly assigned to either the PMR group or the control group. Pain measured by using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and quality of life using the FACT-G questionnaire before and after a 4-5 day intervention. The study compared changes between groups.

Conditions

Thyroid Cancer

Keywords

Progressive Muscle Relaxation; Pain; Quality of Life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Pain Intensity

  Pain intensity measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), an 11-point scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Higher scores indicate worse pain.

  Baseline (day 1) and post-intervention (day 4-5)

• Change in Quality of Life

  Quality of life measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G), a 27-item questionnaire covering physical, social/family, emotional, and functional well-being. Higher scores indicate better quality of life.

  Baseline (day 1) and post-intervention (day 4-5)

Study Arms (2)

PMR + ROM

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received once-daily Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique (PMRT) plus range-of-motion (ROM) exercises for 4-5 consecutive days, 20-40 minutes per session.

Behavioral: Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique; Other: Range of Motion and Stretching Exercises

ROM

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received only gentle range-of-motion (ROM) and stretching exercises, once daily for 4-5 consecutive days, 20-40 minutes per session.

Other: Range of Motion and Stretching Exercises

Interventions

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique BEHAVIORAL

Participants were guided through sequential tensing and relaxing of six muscle groups: head/neck, shoulders/upper back, arms/hands, lower back/hips, calves/thighs, and feet/toes. For each group, they inhaled deeply and tensed muscles for 10-20 seconds, then exhaled slowly while relaxing completely. Each session lasted 20-40 minutes, once daily for 4-5 consecutive days. Sessions were conducted by a trained physiotherapist in a quiet hospital room.

PMR + ROM

Range of Motion and Stretching Exercises OTHER

Participants performed gentle range-of-motion (ROM) and stretching exercises for the same muscle groups (head/neck, shoulders, arms, lower back, legs, feet), without the tensing-relaxation component of PMR. Each session lasted 20-40 minutes, once daily for 4-5 consecutive days, supervised by the same physiotherapist.

PMR + ROM; ROM

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Histologically confirmed thyroid cancer (Stage I-III)
• Age 30-50 years
• Moderate pain (NPRS score 3-7)
• Baseline FACT-G score ≥80%
• Undergoing chemotherapy (1-3 sessions completed)
• History of lobectomy or thyroidectomy
• Provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Comorbidities (cardiomyopathy, respiratory disorders, severe mental illness)
• Recent fractures or surgeries
• Unable to comprehend or follow instructions
• Currently practicing PMR or any other relaxation therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Faisalabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

The University of Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 3800, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Thyroid Neoplasms; Pain

Interventions

Range of Motion, Articular

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Endocrine Gland Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Endocrine System Diseases; Thyroid Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Examination; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor/ Head , Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 23, 2026
• First Posted: June 3, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2026
• Study Completion: May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: June 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)