The effectiveness of kinesio taping on pain and disability in cervical myofascial pain syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping andsham Kinesio Taping on pain, pressure pain threshold, cervical range of motion, and dis-ability in cervical myofascial pain syndrome patients (MPS).Methods: This study was designed as a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled study. Sixty-one patients with MPS were randomly assigned into two groups. Group 1 (n = 31) wastreated with Kinesio Taping and group 2 (n = 30) was treated sham taping five times byintervals of 3 days for 15 days. Additionally, all patients were given neck exercise program. Patients were evaluated according to pain, pressure pain threshold, cervical range of motionand disability. Pain was assessed by using Visual Analog Scale, pressure pain threshold wasmeasured by using an algometer, and active cervical range of motion was measured byusing goniometry. Disability was assessed with the neck pain disability index disability. Measurements were taken before and after the treatment. Results: At the end of the therapy, there were statistically significant improvements on pain, pressure pain threshold, cervical range of motion, and disability (p < 0.05) in both groups. Also there was a statistical difference between the groups regarding pain, pressure painthreshold, cervical flexion-extension (p < 0.05); except cervical rotation, cervical lateral flex-ion and disability (p > 0.05).Conclusion: This study shows that Kinesio Taping leads to improvements on pain, pressurepain threshold and cervical range of motion, but not disability in short time. Therefore, Kinesio Taping can be used as an alternative therapy method in the treatment of patientswith MPS.