Effects of kinesiology-taping and the application techniques in the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis: A randomized, single-blinded pilot study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of kinesiology taping and different application techniques in the treatment of CMT in addition to therapeutic exercises. Thirty-three infants with congenital muscular torticollis were randomly assigned to three groups. Each was received stretching, strengthening and positioning exercises twice a week for three weeks. Group 1 included 11 infants who only received exercises, Group 2 included 12 infants who received kinesiology taping applied on the affected side by using inhibition technique in addition to exercises. Group 3 included 10 infants who additionally received kinesiology taping applied on the unaffected side by using facilitation technique and on the affected side by using inhibition technique. Range of motion in lateral flexion and rotation of the neck, muscle function and degree of craniofacial changes were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment and, 1 month and 3 months’ posttreatment. Friedman analysis of within-group changes over time revealed significant differences for all of the outcome variables in all groups except cervical rotation in Group 3 ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups at any of the follow-up time points for any of the outcome variables ( P > 0.05). There is no any additive effect of kinesiology taping to exercises for the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis. Also different techniques of applying kinesiology taping resulted in similar clinical outcomes.