Treatment of cervicogenic headache in adolescents: The efficacy of kinesio taping

Background and aims: Cervicogenic headache (CH) is a headache caused by abnormalities in the neck area, including bones, muscles, and other soft tissues. One common cause of CH is the myogenic trigger zones (MTZ) of the neck and shoulder girdle. Methods: Headache diary, MTZ tensoalgometry, locomotor pattern assessment, anxiety assessment. 101 adolescents aged 14–16 years with CH caused by MTZ in the neck muscles formed 3 groups: 34 (GroupA) received kinesio taping, 34 (GroupB, placebo) received imitation of kinesio taping with a medical hypoallergenic patch, 33 (GroupC) had classes teaching the correct motor stereotype. Patient interviews, clinical examination, and kinesiology taping were performed by different physicians who were unaware of their colleagues results. Results: A month after the start of treatment, GroupA showed a statistically significant (p < 0.01) decrease in the number of days with headache (DH), in headache intensity, and an increase in pain thresholds (PT). In GroupB and GroupC there were no statistically significant changes. By the end of the third month in GroupA there was a preservation of positive dynamics in the studied indicators. In GroupC, a positive statically significant trend appeared in comparison with the indicators before treatment (PT increase, DH decrease). There were no statistically significant changes in GroupB. GroupA in all indicators statistically significantly (p < 0.01) surpassed GroupB and GroupC. Conclusions: Kinesio taping is an effective method of correcting disturbed locomotor patterns, muscle imbalances and reducing headaches intensity in teenagers. Acknowledgements. This work was supported by the Kazan Federal University Strategic Academic Leadership Program (PRIORITY‐2030).