The impact of a combined rehabilitation protocol on cardiovascular risk markers and neck disability in hypertensive patients following thyroidectomy: a randomized controlled trial

This study investigated the effectiveness of combining sensorimotor training and the McKenzie technique on cardiovascular risk markers and neck disability in hypertensive patients following thyroidectomy. In a randomized, single-blind controlled trial, 40 hypertensive female patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were equally divided into two groups. The intervention group (A) received a combined protocol of sensorimotor training, McKenzie exercises, and active stretching, while the control group (B) received only active stretching exercises. The interventions were administered three times per week for six weeks. Results demonstrated that the intervention group achieved significantly superior outcomes in both cardiovascular and functional parameters. Group A showed notable reductions in systolic BP (6.21%), diastolic BP (6.64%), and resting heart rate (7.92%), alongside significantly greater improvements in cervical ROM (flexion: 35.08%, lateral flexion: 42.14-42.92%) compared to Group B. Most notably, the reduction in neck disability was substantially greater in the intervention group (56.58%) versus the control group (23.38%), with a very large effect size (d=2.48, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that the combined protocol effectively addresses both biomechanical stress and cardiovascular risk in post-thyroidectomy hypertensive patients. Integrating this multimodal approach into postoperative care could lead to enhanced functional recovery and improved cardiometabolic health outcomes.