A comparison of kinesio taping and classical massage in addition to cervical stabilization exercise in patients with chronic neck pain.

Studies comparing the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) and classical massage (CM) in chronic neck pain (CNP) are scarce. This study aimed to compare the effects of KT and CM in addition to cervical stabilization exercise (CSE) in patients with CNP. Patients were randomly allocated to KT + CSE and CM + CSE groups. Disability with the Neck Disability Index (NDI), pain with the Visual Analog Scale, cervical range of motion with a goniometer, and quality of life (QoL) with the 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) were assessed baseline and after a 4-week treatment. Improvement was observed in NDI and physical component scores of SF-36 in favor of the KT + CSE group and in rotation movements in favor of the CM + CSE group (p < 0.05). In CNP, KT + CSE was superior in improving disability and QoL compared to CM + CSE, whereas CM + CSE was superior in increasing rotation movements compared to KT + CSE. • Massage was superior in increasing cervical rotation movements compared to Kinesio taping in neck pain. • Kinesio taping was superior in improving disability and physical component of quality of life compared to massage. • Kinesio taping or massage with stabilization exercise showed a similar reduction in neck pain intensity. • Kinesio taping or massage with stabilization exercise showed a similar improvement in mental component of quality of life. • Kinesio taping or massage with stabilization exercise showed a similar increase cervical movement except for rotation.