Kinesio Taping for Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-65
SponsorPamukkale University
About this trial
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 criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age between 18 and 65 years
At least one active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle diagnosed on clinical examination according to the criteria of Travell and Simons
Neck and/or shoulder pain lasting at least 3 months
Able to understand the procedures, benefits and possible adverse effects
Disqualifiers
Diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome
Cervical disc herniation, radiculopathy or myelopathy
History of cervical or shoulder surgery
History of trauma, fracture or structural deformity of the neck region
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Kinesio Taping (muscle inhibition technique)
Other interventionElastic 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
Other interventionTape 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).
Treatment groups
40 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Kinesio TapingExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Sham Kinesio TapingSham comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) of the upper trapezius trigger point
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.
Time frame
Baseline, day 3, and end of week 2Secondary outcomes
1
Change in pain intensity measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Pain intensity assessed on a 10 cm horizontal visual analogue scale anchored at 0 (no pain) and 10 (unbearable pain). The marked distance is measured with a ruler.
Time frame
Baseline, day 3, and end of week 22
Change in upper trapezius muscle thickness measured by B-mode ultrasonography
Muscle thickness measured with a diagnostic ultrasound device using an 8-13 MHz linear probe placed parallel to the muscle fibres over the marked region. On a clear longitudinal image of the upper trapezius, the shortest vertical distance between the superior and inferior hyperechoic borders of the muscle at the centre of the image is recorded.
Time frame
Baseline, day 3, and end of week 23
Change in muscle stiffness measured by strain elastography (strain ratio)
Strain elastography performed with the participant prone and the probe parallel to the muscle fibres at the midpoint between the C7 spinous process and the acromion. Constant light probe pressure is maintained using the pressure feedback indicator. Two regions of interest are placed: a reference region in subcutaneous fat (approximately 2x5 mm) and a target region over the trigger point (approximately 3x8 mm). The strain ratio is calculated as the muscle region value divided by the fat region value and is inversely related to tissue stiffness. The mean of three measurements recorded at end-expiration is used.
Time frame
Baseline, day 3, and end of week 2Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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