Additional effects of kinesiotaping to mobilization techniques in chronic mechanical neck pain

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the additional e ects of kinesio taping to mobilization techniques on muscle activation of deep cervical exors and neck pain in chronic mechanical neck pain. Methods: Twenty-eight participants with mechanical neck pain were included in this study. The participants were randomized into two groups: mobilization group (Group 1) and kinesio taping group (Group 2). Treatment for Group 1 (Mean age: 25.71±8.39 yrs) included scapular mobilization, ischemic compression for trigger points and Cyriax mobilization techniques for cervical region. Treatment for Group 2 (Mean age: 30.29±12.92 yrs) included kinesio taping, additionally. Head and neck pain were assessed by Visual Analog Scale, while the muscle activation of deep neck cervical exors was assessed by Craniocervical Flexion Test, using “Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback” device before treatment and four days a er treatment. Inter-group di erences were analyzed by Mann Whitney U Test, and intra-group changes were analyzed by Wilcoxon Test. Also the e ect sizes of intra-group changes were analyzed. Results: There was no significant di erence between the groups for any outcome (p>0.05). Endurance of deep cervical exors improved (Group 1, p=0.018; Group 2, p=0.004), and inten - sity of headache reduced significantly, in both groups (Group 1, p=0.038; Group 2, p<0.001). E ect sizes of changes in activation of deep cervical exor muscles were d: 0.68 and d: 0.863 in Group 1 and 2, respectively. E ect sizes of changes in headache intensity were d: 0.86 and 0.83 in Group 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions: When e ect size di erences were analyzed, it was considered that kinesio taping could be used in addition to mobilization techniques in the treatment of mechanical neck pain.