The effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on pain and disability 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 threshold, 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) was treated with Kinesio Taping and group 2 (n=30) was 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 threshold, cervical range of motion and disability. Pain was assessed by using Visual Analog Scale, pressure pain threshold 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 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 pain threshold, cervical flexion-extension (p<0.05); except cervical rotation, cervical lateral flexion and disability (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that Kinesio Taping leads to improvements on pain, pressure pain 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 patients with MPS.
Ufuk University, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: saimeay@yahoo.com.
Saime
S
Ay
Ufuk University, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey.
Hatice Ecem
HE
Konak
Ankara University, Haymana Vocational Health School, Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey.
Deniz
D
Evcik
Ufuk University, School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey.
Sibel
S
Kibar
D000328:Adult; D055052:Athletic Tape; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
Disability; Dor; Incapacidade; Kinesio Taping; Kinesio taping; Myofascial pain syndrome; Pain; Síndrome dolorosa miofascial