Kinesio Taping for Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Kinesio Taping (muscle inhibition technique): Elastic therapeutic tape applied over the upper trapezius myofascial trigger point using the muscle inhibition technique. A single I-shaped strip is applied from insertion to origin along the muscle fibres with 15-25% tension while the muscle is held in a stretched position. The tape is renewed at each session and remains on the skin continuously throughout the two-week treatment period (four applications, twice weekly).

Sham Kinesio Taping: Tape of identical brand, colour and size applied over the same anatomical region without therapeutic tension (0% tension) and with the neck in a neutral position, so that the skin convolutions responsible for the therapeutic effect are not produced. The tape is renewed at each session and remains on the skin continuously throughout the two-week treatment period (four applications, twice weekly).

Study summary

Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal pain, and the upper trapezius is the muscle most frequently affected in the neck and shoulder region. Kinesio taping is a non-invasive, painless and low-cost method that is increasingly used in the treatment of myofascial trigger points, but its true therapeutic effect beyond placebo has not been clearly established.

The purpose of this randomized, sham-controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesio taping applied with the muscle inhibition technique on myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle. Forty patients with an active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either therapeutic kinesio taping or sham taping (20 patients per group). Both groups will receive four applications over two weeks (twice weekly). The primary outcome is the pressure pain threshold measured with a digital algometer. Secondary outcomes are pain intensity, trapezius muscle thickness measured by B-mode ultrasonography, and muscle stiffness assessed by strain elastography. All outcomes are assessed at baseline, on day 3, and at the end of the two-week treatment period.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) of the upper trapezius trigger point — Baseline, day 3, and end of week 2
  Pressure pain threshold measured over the marked trigger point with a digital algometer with the participant prone and the muscle relaxed. The probe is applied perpendicular to the trigger point and pressure is increased at approximately 1 kg/cm2/s. The participant reports verbally when the pressure first becomes painful. The mean of three measurements taken at least 30 seconds apart is used. An increase indicates reduced trigger point sensitivity.

Trial sites (1)

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