Efficiency of Kinesio Taping in Adolescents with Cervicogenic Headache: a Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract

The research covered 101 adolescents aged 14–16 years with cervicogenic headache (CHA) caused by myogenic trigger zones (MTZ) in the neck muscles. The research aims at estimation of elastic kinesio taping effectiveness in the treatment of myogenic CHA in adolescents. Patients were divided into three groups: 34 teenagers (Group A) were treated with kinesio tapes, 34 teenagers (Group B) received placebo—the simulation of kinesio tapes with a non-elastic medical hypoallergenic plaster (similar to the width of elastic tapes), 33 teenagers (Group C) were prescribed physical exercises for 20 min for the formation of correct motor stereotype. All indicators were evaluated before treatment (Eval-1), immediately after 1 month of treatment (Eval-2) and 1 month after treatment (Eval-3). At Eval-2 in Group A, there were observed statistically significant decrease in the number of days with a headache and headache intensity, and also increase in pain thresholds. In Groups B and C, there were no statistically significant changes in the indices compared to the Eval-1. At Eval-3 in the Group A, there was recorded positive dynamics in the studied indicators. In Group C, there was a positive statically significant dynamics, in comparison with Eval-1. There were no statistically significant changes in the patients of Group B. Group A in all indicators was statistically significant superior to the results of B and C. The authors conclude that kinesio taping is effective in treating myogenic CHA in the presence of an upper cross syndrome of muscle imbalance in adolescents.