Immediate effects of bilateral neuromuscular taping on upper trapezius muscle in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.

INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: the experimental group received neuromuscular taping on upper trapezius (applied with tension) and the placebo group received a sham neuromuscular taping application (applied without tension). Intervention group (Group 1): The tape used in this study was waterproof, porous, and adhesive. Its color was beige. Tape with a width of 5 cm and a thickness of 0.5 mm was used in both groups. The tape measure was the distance from the acromion process to the hairline at the base of the occiput. The experimental group received a standardized therapeutic Kinesio Tape application described by Kenso Kase. Patients were sitting during the tape application. The layer was a Y‐strip placed on upper trapezium muscle and applied from the insertion to origin with paper‐off tension. A trained physiotherapist applied the tape following this instructions: Apply the base of the tape just distal and anterolateral to the edge of the acromion process. Pell the tape from the paper liner and place the tape temporarily on the skin. Do not activate the glue by rubbing. Laterally flex and rotate the head and neck to the opposite side. Place your hand on the acromion process and the underlying skin inferiorly and laterally while depressing the shoulder to increase tissue tension. Apply the superior “Y” tail to the hairline at the base of the occiput. Apply the inferior “Y” tail to the spinous process of the 4th‐5th cervical vertebra. The paper‐off tension tape was applied with approximately 15% stretch. Both upper trapecius muscles were taping. Measurements were recorded inmediately after applying the tape with the tape on the skin. Only once time. CONDITION: chronic mechanical neck pain PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1st Primary outcome: Check that the application of neuromuscular taping bilaterally on upper trapezius muscle decrease pain at the trigger point 1 (PG1) in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain compared with the control group. ; ; This first outcome was measured using a manual algometer on the trigger point 1 of the upper trapezius muscle. ; Measurements were performed by three therapist. Each therapist performed the measurement three times. 2nd Primary outcome : Check that the application of neuromuscular taping bilaterally on upper trapezius muscle decrease neck pain at resting state and during movement of the cervical spine (flexion, extension, bending and rotation) recorded by visual analogue scale (VAS) in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain compared with the control group. 3rd Primary Outcome 3: Check that the bilateral application of neuromuscular taping on upper trapezius muscle increases cervical range of motion in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain patients compared with control group. ; ; Cervical range of motion was assessed with the patient sitting comfortably on a chair, with both feet flat on the floor, hips and knees at 90 degress of flexion, and buttocks positioned against the back of the chair. A cervical range‐of‐motion (CROM) device was placed on the top of the head, and the patient was asked to move the head as far as possible without pain in a standard fashion: flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, left lateral flexion, right rotation, and left rotation. Three trials were conducted for each direction of movement, and the mean values of the 3 trials were recorded for analysis. ; ; Measurements were performed by three therapist. ; ; ; Another picture was taken with the patients standing. ; ; Cranio‐cervical angle is formed between the horizontal and a line passing through the spinous process of seventh cervical vertebra and the tragus ; ; Cranio‐cervical angle was measured by three therapist. Each therapist performed the measurement three times. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Secundary outcome: Check that the bilateral application of neuromuscular taping on upper trapezium muscle modifies the cranio‐cervical angle in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain compared to the control group. ; Cranio‐cervical angle was assessed with the patient sitting comfortably on a chair, with both feet flat on the floor, hips and knees at 90 degree of flexion, and buttocks positioned against the back of the chair. A picture was taken. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Men and women aged between 18 and 45. Subjects diagnosed with chronic mechanical neck pain, checking it as widespread pain in the neck and or shoulders with mechanical properties, whose pain increases with the positions held, with the movement and or palpation of the spinal musculature for more than three months Pain located between the occiput and the third dorsal vertebra More than 3 moths of pain evolution Informed consent signed Do not meet any exclusion criteria