Comparison of the Efficacy of Kinesio Taping and TENS Therapy in Patients With Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome

NCT07770308 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2022/369
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Cervical MPS is a condition of pain, weakness and loss of function caused by trigger points located in the tense bands in the muscles in the neck and upper back. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are used in the treatment of MPS. Although different treatment methods are used for MPS today, there is no proven treatment method to be superior to others. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of exercise therapy, kinesiology taping and TENS therapy on pain, muscle strength and functional status in patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome.

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Keywords

myofascial pain syndrome; TENS therapy; kinesiology taping; exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• VAS (Visual Analogue Scale)

  Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale. Participants rated their pain separately at rest and during activity on a 10-cm horizontal line ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst imaginable pain." Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity and therefore a worse outcome.

  Baseline, immediately after treatment, and 4 weeks after treatment completion

• Ultrasound Elastography

  The last step of the high development rate in ultrasonography technology is ultrasound elastography (UE). UE is a technological advance that can directly measure the mechanical properties of tissue, including muscle stiffness. Elasticity; It is the ability of a tissue to be deformed by an external force and to return to its previous shape and size when this force is removed.

  Baseline, immediately after treatment, and 4 weeks after treatment completion

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Range of Motion (ROM)

  Baseline, immediately after treatment, and 4 weeks after treatment completion

• Neck Disability Index (NDI)

  Baseline, immediately after treatment, and 4 weeks after treatment completion

Study Arms (3)

Group One (Group of Exercise)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients in the first group will be given trunk stabilization training, scapular adductor muscle strengthening, cervical posterior tilt, and stretching exercises for neck rotators, scalene muscles, levator scapula muscle, upper trapezius muscle, posterior cervical and suboccipital muscles. Among these exercises, it will be said that the strengthening exercises should be done in 2 sets of 30 repetitions a day, and the stretching exercises should be done in 2 sets of 10 repetitions. These exercises will be given as a home program and you will be asked to practice them every day for 4 weeks.

Other: home-based exercises

Group Two ( Group of TENS Therapy and Exercise)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

TENS is an electric current applied with superficial electrodes placed on the skin and used to relieve pain. It is also used in the treatment of cervical MAS. It can be applied together with other treatment methods. It has a pain relieving effect. The total duration of the application will be 20 minutes and 1 session will be applied every day for two weeks, a total of 10 sessions. In addition to this treatment, patients will also be given exercise therapy.

Other: home-based exercises; Device: TENS

Group Three (Group of Kinesiology Taping and Exercise)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Kinesiology taping is one of the treatment methods used in various musculoskeletal system diseases. It does not restrict daily activities. It supports the person's movement and ensures that muscle functions return to normal. Kinesiology tape is made of 100% cotton and has an elastic structure that can extend up to 30-40% of its length. The tape is water resistant and can stay on the skin for about 1 week. In this study, kinesiology taping will be applied twice a week for three weeks. In addition to this treatment, patients will also be given exercise therapy.

Other: home-based exercises; Device: kinesiology taping

Interventions

home-based exercises OTHER

Exercise therapy is one of the most commonly used conservative treatment methods in the cervical MAS treatment protocol. Patients in the first group will be given trunk stabilization training, scapular adductor muscle strengthening, cervical posterior tilt, and stretching exercises for neck rotators, scalene muscles, levator scapula muscle, upper trapezius muscle, posterior cervical and suboccipital muscles. Among these exercises, it will be said that the strengthening exercises should be done in 2 sets of 30 repetitions a day, and the stretching exercises should be done in 2 sets of 10 repetitions. These exercises will be given as a home program and you will be asked to practice them every day for 4 weeks.

Group One (Group of Exercise); Group Three (Group of Kinesiology Taping and Exercise); Group Two ( Group of TENS Therapy and Exercise)

TENS DEVICE

TENS is an electric current applied with superficial electrodes placed on the skin and used to relieve pain. Conventional (Traditional) TENS is the most commonly used type. It affects the transmission of pain on the gate control theory by affecting the thick, myelinated, afferent A alpha and beta fibers. The effect of conventional TENS begins in 30 minutes and disappears within approximately 2 hours after treatment is stopped. TENS will be applied to the patients in the second group with a Bio-Stim brand VH-1000 model TENS device in the form of symmetrical, biphasic quadrilateral pulses for 100 msec. Frequency is 60 Hertz (Hz), intensity will be adjusted according to the patient's perception of paresthesia. The negative electrode will be placed on the active trigger point on the upper trapezius muscle and the positive electrode on the acromial tendon. The total duration of the application will be 20 minutes and 1 session will be applied every day for two weeks, a total of 10 sessions.

Group Two ( Group of TENS Therapy and Exercise)

kinesiology taping DEVICE

Kinesiology taping has a wide range of indications, especially in the musculoskeletal system. It is used to protect against tissue damage in the musculoskeletal system and to treat existing injuries, injuries, pain and dysfunctions. Patients who receive kinesiology taping treatment will receive treatment six times in total for three weeks, with 3-day intervals. After the patient is allowed to sit comfortably on the chair, taping will be performed between the acromioclavicular joint and the C7 spinous process using the upper trapezius inhibition technique. In addition, a small kinesiological taping test will be applied to the patient's volar forearm as a rapid allergy screening test to prevent any dermatological allergic reaction.

Group Three (Group of Kinesiology Taping and Exercise)

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Being between the ages of 18-65 and diagnosed with cervical MAS according to the major and minor diagnostic criteria defined by Travel and Simons.

You may not qualify if:

• Those diagnosed with myofascial syndrome and receiving medical treatment and physical therapy
• Those diagnosed with myofascial syndrome and taking an exercise program
• Those diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome
• Skin disease and edema in the area to be applied
• Kinesiology tape allergy
• Neurological diseases (Epilepsy, stroke, upper motor neuron lesions)
• People using pacemakers
• Hypertension and diabetes that cannot be controlled with medication
• Any fracture pathology involving the upper extremity and cervical region,
• Other cervical pathologies that may cause neck pain other than MAS
• Pregnancy
• Cognitive dysfunction and poor cooperation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bakırkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Hospital

Istanbul, Bakırköy, 34147, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (14)

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• Paoloni M, Bernetti A, Fratocchi G, Mangone M, Parrinello L, Del Pilar Cooper M, Sesto L, Di Sante L, Santilli V. Kinesio Taping applied to lumbar muscles influences clinical and electromyographic characteristics in chronic low back pain patients. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2011 Jun;47(2):237-44. Epub 2011 Mar 24.

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  PMID: 20443039 BACKGROUND

• Gennisson JL, Deffieux T, Fink M, Tanter M. Ultrasound elastography: principles and techniques. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2013 May;94(5):487-95. doi: 10.1016/j.diii.2013.01.022. Epub 2013 Apr 22.

  PMID: 23619292 BACKGROUND

• Domenichini R, Pialat JB, Podda A, Aubry S. Ultrasound elastography in tendon pathology: state of the art. Skeletal Radiol. 2017 Dec;46(12):1643-1655. doi: 10.1007/s00256-017-2726-2. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

  PMID: 28765991 BACKGROUND

• Vernon H. The Neck Disability Index: state-of-the-art, 1991-2008. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008 Sep;31(7):491-502. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.08.006.

  PMID: 18803999 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Motor Activity

Interventions

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation Therapy; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Analgesia; Anesthesia and Analgesia

Study Officials

• Sibel Çağlar

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 8, 2026
• First Posted: August 18, 2026
• Study Start: December 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2024
• Study Completion: April 15, 2024
• Last Updated: August 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)