Kinesio taping versus dry needling in the treatment of myofascial pain of the upper trapezius muscle: A randomized, single blind (evaluator), prospective study

The comparison of the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping and dry needling in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis: a clinical and ultrasonographic study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) and dry needling (DN) applications on pain, functionality, and muscle strength in patients with lateral epicondylitis by use of questionnaires and ultrasonography.

METHODS

Seventy-eight patients were randomized into 3 groups. Each group followed a program that consisted of 9 treatment sessions in total, with 3 sessions per week for 3 weeks. Group 1 received KT and performed exercise, group 2 received DN and performed exercise, and group 3 performed exercise alone. Pain, functional status, grip strength, and the thickness and echogenicity of the common extensor tendon were evaluated before treatment, after treatment (at the end of the third week), and after 6 months.

RESULTS

In intragroup evaluations, KT and DN were found to be effective in the short and long term in terms of pain, functional status, muscle strength, and tendon thickness (P < .01). In intergroup evaluations, improvement in the KT and DN groups was superior to that in the control group for all parameters (P < .05). On comparison of the KT and DN groups, improvements in the clinical parameters and tendon thickness, heterogeneity, and elastography were significantly better in the DN group in the short and long term (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The ultrasonographic outcomes in our study objectively demonstrated that although DN in general is superior in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis, KT treatment is also effective.

The efficacy of Kinesio taping on lymphedema following head and neck cancer therapy: a randomized, double blind, sham-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of Kinesio taping for lymphedema following head and neck cancer therapy and its effect on patient compliance and quality of life.

METHODS

A total of 66 patients with lymphedema following head and neck cancer therapy were randomly allocated to the therapeutic Kinesio taping group (n = 33) and the sham Kinesio taping group (n = 33). All participants received manual lymphatic drainage, Kinesio taping, and home exercises for the first four weeks, and only home exercises for the second four weeks. The tape measurements, a scale of external lymphedema, a scale of the internal lymphedema, and quality of life were evaluated in both groups. The perceived discomfort consisting of limitation of daily living activities, pain, tightness, stiffness, and heaviness were also recorded.

RESULTS

When the group x time effect was evaluated, it was observed that external lymphedema was significantly reduced in both groups according to neck and face composite measurements (p < .001). However, in these measurements, a significant difference was found between the groups in favor of the KT group (p = .001, p = .032, respectively). At the end of the study, there was no significant difference in terms of internal lymphedema in both groups (p = .860). The quality of life parameters such as global health status and swallowing were significantly better in the Kinesio taping group (p < .001). There was no significant difference in the parameters of perceived discomfort between the two groups (p = .282, p = .225, p = .090, p = .155, p = .183, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Kinesio taping is effective in tape measurements and positively affects the quality of life in lymphedema following head and neck cancer therapy.

Comparison of dry needling and kinesio taping methods in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: A single blinded randomised controlled study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) and dry needling (DN) in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the trapezius muscle.

METHODS

The patients with MPS were divided into 3 groups as those who received exercise only (control group), those who received KT and exercise (KT group) and those who received DN and exercise (DN group) by using a sealed opaque envelope randomisation method. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Global Perceived Effect Scale (GPES) were measured twice at baseline and at the end of the second week by blinded evaluator.

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients were assigned to KT group, 32 to DN group and 30 to control group. The results of the study showed that PPT, VAS and NDI scores were significantly improved in the KT (1.61 ± 1.25, -2.66 ± 1.24 and -7.08 ± 6.24, respectively) and DN (1.30 ± 1.13, -3.34 ± 1.40 and -10.63 ± 7.80 respectively) groups (P < .001 for all). In the control group, no significant improvement was found in the VAS (.10 ± 1.39) and NDI (-.83 ± 4.91) scores (P > .05), with a significant decrease in PPT (-.98 ± 1.92) (P = .014). KT and DN methods in MPS treatment have more positive effects in terms of pain, disability and global effect compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of MPS, adding DN or KT to exercise programme may provide important contributions to the treatment.

Comparison of the effects of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and dry needling on active myofascial trigger points of upper trapezius muscle

Background: Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the most common complaints in patients referring to orthopedic treatment centers. The present study aimed to examine the effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and dry needling (DN) on active myofascial trigger points (AMTrP) of the upper trapezius muscle (UTM). Methods: The current study was designed as a randomized clinical trial and a total of 81 patients, aged 18-40 years, with active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle were randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1 (n = 30) received DN treatment, group 2 (n = 26) received IASTM treatment, and group 3 (n = 25) was considered as the control group (no intervention). The numeric pain scale (NPS), pain pressure threshold (PPT), active cervical contra-lateral flexion (ACLF), neck disability index (NDI), and muscle thickness (MT), according to rehabilitative ultrasonic imaging (RUSI), were measured at baseline, immediately after the last session (session 4 in week 2), and 1 month after the last session. The statistical analysis was conducted at a 95% confidence level. The P values less than.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: Both techniques were effective in treating active trigger point of the upper trapezius (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the treatment groups in terms of any of the above variables except for ACLF (p>0.05) Conclusion: Both IASTM and DN were determined to improve NPS, PPT, ROM, and NDI in participants with active trigger points in the upper trapezius, although IASTM was more effective in increasing ACLF in these patients.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Myofascial Trigger Points Associated with Neck Pain Symptoms: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Our aim was to evaluate the effect of dry needling alone as compared to sham needling, no intervention, or other physical interventions applied over trigger points (TrPs) related with neck pain symptoms. Randomized controlled trials including one group receiving dry needling for TrPs associated with neck pain were identified in electronic databases. Outcomes included pain intensity, pain-related disability, pressure pain thresholds, and cervical range of motion. The Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) score were used to assessed risk of bias (RoB) and methodological quality of the trials. The quality of evidence was assessed by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Between-groups mean differences (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated (3) Twenty-eight trials were finally included. Dry needling reduced pain immediately after (MD −1.53, 95% CI −2.29 to −0.76) and at short-term (MD −2.31, 95% CI −3.64 to −0.99) when compared with sham/placebo/waiting list/other form of dry needling and, also, at short-term (MD −0.51, 95% CI −0.95 to −0.06) compared with manual therapy. No differences in comparison with other physical therapy interventions were observed. An effect on pain-related disability at the short-term was found when comparing dry needing with sham/placebo/waiting list/other form of dry needling (SMD −0.87, 95% CI −1.60 to −0.14) but not with manual therapy or other interventions. Dry needling was effective for improving pressure pain thresholds immediately after the intervention (MD 55.48 kPa, 95% CI 27.03 to 83.93). No effect on cervical range of motion of dry needling against either comparative group was found. No between-treatment effect was observed in any outcome at mid-term. Low to moderate evidence suggests that dry needling can be effective for improving pain intensity and pain-related disability in individuals with neck pain symptoms associated with TrPs at the short-term. No significant effects on pressure pain sensitivity or cervical range of motion were observed.

Taping for conditions of the musculoskeletal system: an evidence map review

Background

Taping is a common treatment modality used by many rehabilitation providers. Several types of tapes and taping methods are used in the treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain.

Purpose

To summarize and map the evidence related to taping methods used for various joints and conditions of the musculoskeletal system, and to provide clinicians and researchers with a user-friendly reference with organized evidence tables.

Data sources

The PEDro, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials, PubMed, and PROSPERO databases were searched from inception through October 31, 2019.

Study selection

Eligible studies were selected by two independent reviewers and included either systematic reviews (SRs) or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and included a musculoskeletal complaint using a clinical outcome measure.

Data extraction

Data was extracted by two investigators independently. Risk of bias and quality were assessed using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) for SRs or the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale for RCTs. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019122857).

Data synthesis

Twenty-five musculoskeletal conditions were summarized from forty-one SRs and 127 RCTs. There were 6 SRs and 49 RCTs for spinal conditions. Kinesio tape was the most common type of tape considered. Four evidence tables representing the synthesized SRs and RCTs were produced and organized by body region per condition.

Limitations

Inclusion of only English language studies. Also, the heterogeneous nature of the included studies prevented a meta-analysis.

Conclusions

There is mixed quality evidence of effectiveness for the different types of taping methods for different body regions and conditions. All of the SRs and RCTs found during our search of the taping literature have been organized into a series of appendices. A synthesis of the results have been placed in evidence tables that may serve as a useful guide to clinicians and researchers.