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

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping and sham Kinesio Taping on pain, pressure pain treshold, cervical range of motion, and disability 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) were treated with kinesio taping and group 2 (n=30) were treated sham taping five times by intervals of 3 days for 15 days. Additionally, all patients were given neck exercise program. Patients were evaluated according to pain, pressure pain treshold, cervical range of motion and disability. Pain was assessed by using Visual Analog Scale, pressure pain treshold was measured by using an algometer, and active cervical range of motion was measured by using 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 treshold, cervical range of motion, and disability (p<0.05) in both groups. Also there was a statistical difference between the groups regarding pain, pressure pain treshold, cervical flexion-extension (p<0.05); except cervical rotation, cervical lateral flexion and disability(p>0.05).

CONCLUSION: This study shows that Kinesio Taping leads to improvements on pain, pressure pain treshold 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 patients with MPS.