Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a commonly performed surgical procedure for cervical disc herniation, cervical radiculopathy, and degenerative cervical spine disorders. Although surgery may reduce pain and neurological symptoms, some patients experience swallowing difficulties, neck pain, restricted neck movement, reduced respiratory muscle strength, and impaired quality of life after surgery.
The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to determine whether a structured postoperative rehabilitation program improves swallowing function, respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, neck-related disability, pain, cervical range of motion, and health-related quality of life in adults who have undergone single- or two-level ACDF.
A total of 60 eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a structured rehabilitation group or a standard postoperative follow-up group. The structured program will include breathing exercises, inspiratory muscle training, swallowing and safe feeding education, cervical and scapular exercises, postural training, upper-extremity exercises, walking, and gradual physical activity. Participants in the control group will receive the standard postoperative recommendations provided by the surgical team.
Assessments will be conducted before the rehabilitation program and during postoperative follow-up. The primary outcome will be swallowing difficulty measured using the Eating Assessment Tool-10. Additional outcomes will include dysphagia severity, oral intake level, respiratory muscle strength, spirometric pulmonary function, neck pain, neck-related disability, cervical range of motion, health-related quality of life, treatment adherence, and adverse events.