The Effect of Kinesio Taping in Reducing Myofascial Pain Syndrome on the Upper Trapezius Muscle: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a condition causing pain at myofascial trigger points. Kinesio Taping has been widely used to decrease pain and improve range of motion. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic programs that include kinesio taping on reducing myofascial pain syndrome symptoms. Methods: Independent research was performed for legit studies using the following electronic databases: PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORT Discus, EM base, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from February 2017 to March 2017. The keywords were "keniso tape myofascial" AND "taping myofascial" AND "myofascial pain Syndrome" AND "myofascial trigger points." The research resulted in 5,793 articles that eventually included 6 articles that had met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the data extracted data from the articles was about the pain severity, and was measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: The collected data was pooled from the results of 256 subjects (199 females and 57 males). Using KT showed improvement but not significant statistically in three of the analyzed studies, and the remaining three studies showed a statistical significant reduction in VAS score. The overall P value that computed by the European Scientific Journal February 2018 edition Vol.14, No.6 ISSN: 1857 -7881 (Print) e -ISSN 1857-7431 337 Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 2.0 software was statistically significant (P value= 0.001) between the KT group and the control group. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on six studies in regarding to the efficacy of KT on the myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle. The meta-analysis suggests KT with other therapeutic protocols to treat myofascial pain syndrome and increase cervical range of motion as well as the functional activities.

Evidence for kinesio taping in management of myofascial pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…As a non-invasive treatment, kinesio taping has been gradually used by physiotherapists or pain clinicians in the pain clinic as a clinical support treatment for myofascial pain syndrome or myofascial trigger points. 7,8 However, no consensus has been reached about the benefits of kinesio taping to myofascial pain syndrome or myofascial trigger points. In 2015, Halski et al 9 compared the short-term effects of kinesio taping, cross taping and sham taping for latent upper trapezius myofascial trigger points and reported no significant differences in almost all measurements among the groups.…”

Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Concise Update on Clinical, Diagnostic and Integrative and Alternative Therapeutic Perspectives

“…Unlike global substantial research on MPS yet inconsistencies concerning its diagnostic criteria, structure of MTrP, etiopathogenesis and pathophysiology, interventions and overall outcome persist in the relevant literature. Furthermore, there is exceedingly scanty literature on myofascial pain syndrome in Saudi Arabia [9]. This research will fill up some gaps in the pragmatic knowledge of professionals including physiotherapists, rehabilitation workers, osteopaths and chiropractors concerned with myofascial pain and MPS practices in Saudi Arabia and other Arabian Gulf countries.…”

“…These physical and manual therapies under the umbrella of CAM modalities are considered first line treatments in acute MPS [1][2][3]6,9,10,16,20]. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other analgesics (ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin, etc) and muscle relaxants (Methocarbamol, Baclofen, oxazepam, diazepam etc) are often prescribed to patients with MPS, and myofascial pain (MP) linked with regional pain syndromes [1][2][3][4]6,19,42], for reducing muscle spasm and common pain.…”

“…Unlike acute onset MPS, chronic MPS of 6 months or more tends to generalize along with increased number of MTrPs and localized or referred pain in other muscles, reflects poor prognosis and never transforms into fibromyalgia, which is a distinctive algogenic (pain) disorder [7]. Patients with both types of MPS respond well to a variety of interventions such as myofascial massage and other manual therapies and injection techniques, acupuncture and cupping (Hijamah), infrared and ultrasound therapies, Kinesio taping and postural, ergonomic, and structural modifications, meditation, and other holistic treatments directed towards possibly correcting its underlying etiopathogenesis and pathophysiological changes [2,[8][9][10]. According to Hong, MTrPs share many qualities with acupuncture points; their location and distribution, pain and referred pain patterns, local twitch response, de qi numbness phenomenon, and pathophysiological mechanisms [11], at myofascial nerve endplates, spinal cord and CNS [12].…”

Comparing the Efficacy of Upper Trapezius Kinesiotaping and Stretching Exercises in Patients With Mechanical Neck Ache

“…A study conducted by Ana Claudia in year 2008 concluded that different techniques of stretching in combination with manual therapy techniques were effective in improving neck pain, ranges and quality of life among females. It was suggested in the study that stretching exercises should be recommended as part of treatment regime in patients with chronic neck pain 20 . Effects of kinesiotaping and postural exercises have also been investigated on parameters on pain, NDI and upper trapezius activity in which it was observed that the effects of kinesiotaping are more effective in reducing pain and other outcome measures than postural exercises 21 .…”