title: Comparison of effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Kinesio Taping added to exercises in patients with myofascial pain syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although there are several studies of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and exercise in myofascial pain syndrome, there are no studies comparing the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping (KT) and TENS in myofascial pain syndrome patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the early and late effects of TENS and KT on pain, disability and range of motion in myofascial pain syndrome patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-nine patients were divided into three groups randomly as TENS+Exercise, KT+Exercise and exercise groups. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain threshold, Neck Disability Index and cervical contralateral lateral flexion were employed in the evaluation of the patients performed before treatment, after treatment and 3rd month after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The VAS, pain threshold, Neck Disability Index and contralateral lateral flexion values were improved in all groups both in after treatment and 3rd month after treatment (p< 0.01). In the comparison of after treatment vs. before treatment evaluations, VAS score was decreased in KT group compared to the TENS and control group (p= 0.001), in the TENS group compared to control group (p= 0.011). In the comparison of 3rd month and before treatment evaluations, VAS score was decreased in the TENS group compared to control group (p= 0.001) and in the KT group compared to the control group (p= 0.001). There was no significant difference between TENS and KT groups. All other parameters did not differ between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TENS and KT added exercises can decrease pain severity and increase pain threshold, function and cervical range of motion in myofascial pain syndrome patients. Addition of TENS or KT to the exercise therapy resulted in more significant improvement compared to exercise therapy alone with a more pronounced improvement in KT group compared to the TENS group in the early period. Because KT was found to be more effective in decreasing the pain and had the advantage of being used in every 3 days, it seems to be beneficial in acute painful periods in myofascial pain syndrome patients.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ardahan State Hospital, Ardahan, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gokmen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Azatcam
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University Medical School, Kinikli, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nilgun Simsir
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Atalay
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University Medical School, Kinikli, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nuray
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University Medical School, Kinikli, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fusun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yenimahalle Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aksoy
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kocaeli State Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozge
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zincir
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University Medical School, Kinikli, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Topuz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055052:Athletic Tape; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Kinesio Taping; Myofascial pain syndrome; TENS; exercise