Kinesiology Taping in Cervical Vertigo Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: In otoneurological clinical practice, cervical vertigo is one of the most common vestibular disorders. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Kinesiology Taping in patients with cervical vertigo syndrome, based on an objective assessment of spinal conduction from the balance system sensory receptor (SEP test), a postural control based on a cranio-corpography (CCG test) and Freyss’ dynamic stabilometry. Methods: The research covered 74 patients. Through medical examination all the patients were diagnosed with vertigo of somatosensory etiology (disturbed somatosensory evoked potentials – SEP on a cervical level) or of mixed etiology (disturbed SEP and vasogenic cervical disorders). Kinesiology Taping, using Strips by Nitto Denko Kinesiology Tape / K-Active Tape, was applied to both groups of patients. Somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) test, craniocorpography (CCG), Freyss’ stabilometry test were performed before and after therapy. Results: The results were compared before and after kinesiotaping in patients and between the patients and control group of healthy subjects. With regard to the SEP test, waves N13, P11 and P27 latency measurement results obtained after rehabilitation did not show any statistically important differences, as compared with the control group. In the case of the CCG examination there was no improvement after rehabilitation. Significant differences were observed on Freyss’ stabilometry under the condition of visual control and comparing the groups of strictly somatosensory and mixed cervical vertigo. Conclusions: In patients with cervical vertigo, the applied Kinesiology Taping therapy did not have an impact on the objectively measured parameters of SEP, but caused the positive effect on balance coordination measured by stabilometry. Patients with solely somatosensory etiology of balance disorders responded better to the taping therapy than patients from the mixed etiology group.