Comparison of Kinesio Taping and Myofascial Release in Cervicogenic Headache

NCT ID: NCT06940167

Last Updated: 2025-11-19

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 81 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-02-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-08-31

Brief Summary

Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is defined as a headache accompanied by neck pain, caused by a disorder in the cervical spine, bones, discs, or soft tissue elements. This study is designed as a prospective, case-control, hospital-based study. A total of 90 patients aged 18-65 years who have been suffering from CGH for at least three months and who present to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of Meram State Hospital between January 2025 and January 2027 will be included in the study. Patients will be informed about the procedures, and informed consent will be obtained. The study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. A detailed medical history will be taken from all participants, and a comprehensive physical examination will be performed. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, height, weight, education level, employment status, and income level will be recorded. The 90 CGH patients will be divided into three groups.Group 1 (n=30) will receive myofascial release therapy + home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions. Group 2 (n=30) will receive Kinesio taping + home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions. Group 3 (n=30) will receive only a home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions. All evaluations will be conducted by the same researcher at three time points: before treatment (baseline), at the end of treatment (week 4), and one month after the completion of treatment (week 8).The aim of this prospective clinical study is to compare the effectiveness of Kinesio taping and myofascial release therapy in the treatment of cervicogenic headache.

Detailed Description

This randomized, parallel-group clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of kinesio taping and myofascial release therapy in patients diagnosed with cervicogenic headache. The study is based on the hypothesis that both interventions can reduce pain intensity and functional disability, but their relative efficacy remains unclear. The trial is designed to provide clinical evidence to guide physiotherapeutic management of cervicogenic headache.

Conditions

Cervicogenic Headache

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Myofascial Release Group

Group 1 (n=30) will receive myofascial release therapy + home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Myofascial Release Group

Intervention Type: OTHER

myofascial release therapy combined with a home exercise program: Myofascial release techniques will be applied manually to the cervical and upper trapezius regions by a trained physiotherapist. The intervention will be administered three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. In addition, participants will follow a standardized home exercise program designed to improve cervical mobility and reduce muscle tension.

Home Exercise Program (Control Group)

Intervention Type: OTHER

Home exercise program: The exercise program includes cervical mobility exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises aimed at improving posture and reducing muscle tension. The intervention will be performed three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions.

Kinesiology Taping Group

Group 2 (n=30) will receive Kinesio taping + home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Kinesiology Taping Group

Intervention Type: OTHER

kinesiology taping combined with a home exercise program : Kinesiology tape will be applied to the cervical region following a standardized taping protocol. The taping will be performed by a trained physiotherapist three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. The tape will remain on the skin for 3-5 days per application.

Home Exercise Program (Control Group)

Intervention Type: OTHER

Home exercise program: The exercise program includes cervical mobility exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises aimed at improving posture and reducing muscle tension. The intervention will be performed three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions.

Home Exercise Group

Group 3 (n=30) will receive only a home exercise program for four weeks, three sessions per week, totaling 12 sessions

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Home Exercise Program (Control Group)

Intervention Type: OTHER

Home exercise program: The exercise program includes cervical mobility exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises aimed at improving posture and reducing muscle tension. The intervention will be performed three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions.

Interventions

Myofascial Release Group

myofascial release therapy combined with a home exercise program: Myofascial release techniques will be applied manually to the cervical and upper trapezius regions by a trained physiotherapist. The intervention will be administered three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. In addition, participants will follow a standardized home exercise program designed to improve cervical mobility and reduce muscle tension.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Kinesiology Taping Group

kinesiology taping combined with a home exercise program : Kinesiology tape will be applied to the cervical region following a standardized taping protocol. The taping will be performed by a trained physiotherapist three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. The tape will remain on the skin for 3-5 days per application.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Home Exercise Program (Control Group)

Home exercise program: The exercise program includes cervical mobility exercises, stretching, and strengthening exercises aimed at improving posture and reducing muscle tension. The intervention will be performed three times per week for four weeks, totaling 12 sessions.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Meeting the diagnostic criteria for cervicogenic headache, including:

• Unilateral pain
• Reduced cervical range of motion
• Ipsilateral shoulder discomfort
• Ipsilateral arm discomfort
• Pain exacerbated by different neck movements and tenderness on palpation

Exclusion Criteria

Migraine Cluster headache Cervical radiculopathy Entrapment neuropathy Myelopathy Rheumatoid arthritis Undergoing cervical spinal surgery Pregnancy Receiving physical therapy within the last 6 months History of major psychiatric disorders History of uncontrolled systemic diseases (cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, hematological, etc.) History of uncontrolled endocrine diseases (e.g., Diabetes Mellitus, hyperthyroidism, etc.)

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• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Konya Meram State Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Fatma CAGLAYAN AGIR

Medical Doctor, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Meram State Hospital

Konya, Meram, Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

2025/5545

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id