A comparison of kinesio taping and classical massage in addition to cervical stabilization exercise in patients with chronic neck pain

Abstract

Background and purpose: Studies comparing the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) and classical massage (CM) in chronic neck pain (CNP) are scarce. This study aimed to compare the effects of KT and CM in addition to cervical stabilization exercise (CSE) in patients with CNP.

Materials and methods: Patients were randomly allocated to KT + CSE and CM + CSE groups. Disability with the Neck Disability Index (NDI), pain with the Visual Analog Scale, cervical range of motion with a goniometer, and quality of life (QoL) with the 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) were assessed baseline and after a 4-week treatment.

Results: Improvement was observed in NDI and physical component scores of SF-36 in favor of the KT + CSE group and in rotation movements in favor of the CM + CSE group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: In CNP, KT + CSE was superior in improving disability and QoL compared to CM + CSE, whereas CM + CSE was superior in increasing rotation movements compared to KT + CSE.

Keywords: Kinesio tape; Massage therapy; Neck pain; Quality of life; Range of motion.