CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT00248235Updated Nov 5, 2024

Resistance Exercise Training for the Shoulder and Neck Following Surgery for Head and Neck Cancer

A Phase 2/3 interventional study of Exercise in Head and Neck Neoplasms, sponsored by University of Alberta. Completed at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-11-05.

Sponsored by University of Alberta · Phase 2/3, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2/3
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
64
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a progressive therapeutic exercise program on specific physical and functional deficits in the neck and shoulder region occurring as a result of head and neck cancer treatment.

Read the detailed description

We will be conducting a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of progressive resistance exercise training (PRET) on shoulder and neck dysfunction due to spinal accessory neurapraxia/ neurectomy in patients with head and neck cancer. Sixty-four head and neck cancer survivors will be randomly assigned to PRET or standard care. Participants assigned to the PRET group will exercise 3 times per week for 12 weeks. The goal of the exercise program will be to enhance scapular stability, and improve mobility and strength of the upper extremity. The resistance exercise program will be progressive in terms of the number of sets and repetitions performed, as well as amount lifted, depending on baseline strength levels and overall performance status. The primary outcomes for the study include pain and dysfunction, active and passive range of motion measures, strength and endurance testing, and quality of life. Nerve conduction testing and electromyography will be performed to assess/ monitor the status of the spinal accessory nerve and trapezius muscle function respectively.

02

Conditions studied

  • Head and Neck Neoplasms

Keywords

  • exercise
  • rehabilitation
  • head and neck neoplasms
03

In context

Head and Neck Neoplasms

2,344 studies on the registry are indexed under Head and Neck Neoplasms; 551 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 64 is above the median of 47 across 1,751 interventional studies indexed under Head and Neck Neoplasms.

Browse Head and Neck Neoplasms studies →

Lead sponsor

University of Alberta is the lead sponsor of 800 studies on the registry; 168 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  1. Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx or hypopharynx OR squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the neck from unknown primary site; probable occult mucosal origin in the head and neck
  2. Surgical treatment includes radical neck dissection, modified radical neck dissection and other variants of functional/selective neck dissection
  3. Karnofsky Performance Status greater than or equal to 60%
  4. No evidence of residual cancer in the neck and no distant (M0) metastasis
  5. Participants must have completed their head and neck cancer treatment

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. A history of shoulder or neck pathology unrelated to cancer treatment
  2. Serious co-morbid medical illness or psychiatric illness
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2 / Phase 3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
64 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    PRET

    Progressive Resistance Exercise Training: upper extremity 6-8 exercises

    Behavioral: Exercise

  • Active comparator
    Standard Care

    Standard Care: physical therapy - range of motion, 6-8 strengthening exercises

    Behavioral: Exercise

Interventions

  • BehavioralExercise
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain and dysfunction (baseline, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months)

    Time frame: baseline, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months

  2. Active and passive range of motion (baseline, 12 weeks)

    Time frame: baseline, 12 weeks

  3. Muscular strength and endurance (baseline, 12 weeks)

    Time frame: baseline, 12 weeks

  4. Quality of life (baseline, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months)

    Time frame: baseline, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Anxiety, depression and fatigue (baseline, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months)

    Time frame: baseline, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months

  2. Nerve conduction testing (baseline, 12 weeks as indicated)

    Time frame: Baseline

  3. Electromyography (baseline, 12 weeks as indicated)

    Time frame: Baseline

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Behavioral Medicine Laboratory, University of Alberta
    Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H9, Canada
08

References and documents

Publications

  • McNeely ML, Parliament M, Courneya KS, Seikaly H, Jha N, Scrimger R, Hanson J. A pilot study of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of progressive resistance exercise training on shoulder dysfunction caused by spinal accessory neurapraxia/neurectomy in head and neck cancer survivors. Head Neck. 2004 Jun;26(6):518-30. doi: 10.1002/hed.20010. PubMed 15162353 ↗
09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Nov 5, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00248235
Lead sponsor
University of Alberta
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Nov 3, 2005
Start date
Sep 2005
Primary completion
May 2008
Completion
Jan 2009
Last update
Nov 5, 2024

Study contacts

Kerry S Courneya, PhD
principal investigator · Professor, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Nov 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion