Comparison of Kinesio Taping and Myofascial Release in Cervicogenic Headache

NCT06940167 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2025/5545
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 81
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is defined as a headache accompanied by neck pain, caused by a disorder in the cervical spine, bones, discs, or soft tissue elements. This study is designed as a prospective, case-control, hospital-based study. A total of 90 patients aged 18-65 years who have been suffering from CGH for at least three months and who present to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of Meram State Hospital between January 2025 and January 2027 will be included in the study. Patients will be informed about the procedures, and informed consent will be obtained. The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. A detailed medical history will be taken from all participants, and a comprehensive physical examination will be performed. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, height, weight, education level, employment status, and income level will be recorded. The 90 CGH patients will be divided into three groups.Group 1 (n=30) will receive myofascial release therapy + home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions. Group 2 (n=30) will receive Kinesio taping + home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions. Group 3 (n=30) will receive only a home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions. All evaluations will be conducted by the same researcher at three time points: before treatment (baseline), at the end of treatment (week 4), and one month after the completion of treatment (week 8).The aim of this prospective clinical study is to compare the effectiveness of Kinesio taping and myofascial release therapy in the treatment of cervicogenic headache.

Conditions

Cervicogenic Headache

Keywords

Cervicogenic headache; Myofascial Release; Kinesio taping

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Cervicogenic Headache Severity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at Baseline, 4 Weeks, and 8 Weeks

  Headache severity will be assessed using a 10 cm horizontal Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst possible pain." Participants will mark the level of their current headache severity on the scale. Changes will be calculated from baseline to week 4 and week 8.

  Baseline, Week 4 (end of treatment), and Week 8 (1-month follow-up after treatment)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) Score at Baseline, 4 Weeks, and 8 Weeks

  Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

• Change in Headache Disability Index (HDI) Score at Baseline, 4 Weeks, and 8 Weeks

  Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

• Change in Quality of Life Measured by Short Form-12 (SF-12) at Baseline, 4 Weeks, and 8 Weeks

  Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

• Change in Headache Frequency (Number of Headache Days per Month) at Baseline, 4 Weeks, and 8 Weeks

  Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

Study Arms (3)

Myofascial Release Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Group 1 (n=30) will receive myofascial release therapy + home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions.

Other: Myofascial Release Group; Other: Home Exercise Program (Control Group)

Kinesiology Taping Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Group 2 (n=30) will receive Kinesio taping + home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions

Other: Kinesiology Taping Group; Other: Home Exercise Program (Control Group)

Home Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Group 3 (n=30) will receive only a home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions

Other: Home Exercise Program (Control Group)

Interventions

Myofascial Release Group OTHER

myofascial release therapy combined with a home exercise program: Myofascial release techniques will be applied manually to the cervical and upper trapezius regions by a trained physiotherapist. The intervention will be administered three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. In addition, participants will follow a standardized home exercise program designed to improve cervical mobility and reduce muscle tension.

Myofascial Release Group

Kinesiology Taping Group OTHER

kinesiology taping combined with a home exercise program : Kinesiology tape will be applied to the cervical region following a standardized taping protocol. The taping will be performed by a trained physiotherapist three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. The tape will remain on the skin for 3-5 days per application.

Kinesiology Taping Group

Home Exercise Program (Control Group) OTHER

Home exercise program: The exercise program includes cervical mobility exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises aimed at improving posture and reducing muscle tension. The intervention will be performed three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions.

Home Exercise Group; Kinesiology Taping Group; Myofascial Release Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Meeting the diagnostic criteria for cervicogenic headache, including:
• Unilateral pain
• Reduced cervical range of motion
• Ipsilateral shoulder discomfort
• Ipsilateral arm discomfort
• Pain exacerbated by different neck movements and tenderness on palpation

You may not qualify if:

• Migraine Cluster headache Cervical radiculopathy Entrapment neuropathy Myelopathy Rheumatoid arthritis Undergoing cervical spinal surgery Pregnancy Receiving physical therapy within the last 6 months History of major psychiatric disorders History of uncontrolled systemic diseases (cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, hematological, etc.) History of uncontrolled endocrine diseases (e.g., Diabetes Mellitus, hyperthyroidism, etc.)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Konya Meram State Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Meram State Hospital

Konya, Meram, 42090, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Post-Traumatic Headache

Interventions

Control Groups

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Headache Disorders, Secondary; Headache Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Research Design; Methods

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Only the outcomes assessor was blinded to group allocation to reduce measurement bias. Participants and care providers were aware of the intervention being applied.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Medical Doctor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 9, 2025
• First Posted: April 23, 2025
• Study Start: February 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2025
• Study Completion: August 31, 2025
• Last Updated: November 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: January 2026 - January 2029
• Access Criteria: Qualified researchers with methodologically sound proposals will be able to request access to de-identified individual participant data (IPD), the study protocol, and the statistical analysis plan. Access will be provided upon reasonable request by contacting the Principal Investigator via institutional email. A data sharing agreement may be required before access is granted.

Locations

TU (1)