Comparison Of Kinesio Taping Versus Passive Stretching In Collegiate Students With Nonspecific Neck Pain- A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Non-specific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder affecting a significant portion of the population, particularly collegiate students. Various interventions, including stretching exercises and Kinesio taping (KT), have been employed to manage non-specific neck pain. However, limited studies directly compare the effectiveness of these interventions. This study aimed to compare the effects of passive stretching and kinesio taping on pain intensity and neck disability among collegiate students with non-specific neck pain.

Methods: A pilot study was conducted with 20 collegiate students (ages 18-25) experiencing Non-specific neck pain for over four weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Kinesio Taping (KT) and Passive Stretching (PS). The Kinesio taping group received a standardized application of KT for four weeks, while the passive Stretching group underwent supervised passive stretching of the upper trapezius and levator scapulae for the same duration. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and disability was assessed with the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Statistical analysis included within-group and between-group comparisons using SPSS software, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: Both kinesio taping and passive Stretching groups exhibited significant reductions in NPRS scores (p < 0.001) and NDI scores (p < 0.001) post-intervention. The Kinesio taping group showed a greater reduction in pain (6.70 ± 0.95 to 2.40 ± 1.08) and disability scores (38.20 ± 11.91% to 14.00 ± 6.33%) compared to the passive Stretching group (pain: 6.80 ± 1.03 to 3.10 ± 0.74; disability: 35.20 ± 14.43% to 18.20 ± 7.63%), though the between-group differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Both Kinesio taping and Passive Stretching effectively reduced pain and disability in collegiate students with Non-specific neck pain, with Kinesio taping demonstrating a non-significant trend toward greater improvement. These findings suggest that both interventions can be considered viable options for Non-specific neck pain management, warranting further research with larger sample sizes to confirm their comparative effectiveness.