Effectiveness of kinesio taping in addition to conventional rehabilitation treatment on pain, cervical range of motion and quality of life in patients with neck pain: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Kinesio taping (KT) is a new taping modality frequently used in the clinical setting. However there is contradictory evidence about its effectiveness in patients with neck pain. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of KT as a supplementary treatment in addition to conventional rehabilitation in patients with neck pain. METHODS: Forty-five subjects with neck pain were included in this controlled trial and were assigned to the following groups: Kinesio Taping, placebo (P), and conventional rehabilitation control (CR). A daily self-assessment record of perceived pain, medication intake, quality of life and range of motion was registered at baseline, posttreatment and follow-up. RESULTS: Cohen's coefficient showed large effects in terms of reducing pain perception in all three groups. ANOVAs showed that the course of treatment differed across groups only for neck flexion (p = 0.043). We found significant differences in neck flexion when comparing baseline and one-month follow-up values and neck flexion significantly increased in all three groups: KT (p = 0.05); P (p = 0.01); and CR (p = 0.04). Between-group analyses showed no significant differences for any of the measurements. CONCLUSIONS: A protocol of manual therapy and physical exercises, significantly improved pain and mobility in patients with neck pain. We obtained no evidence of additional benefits from the use of KT in this population.