Comparison of Kinesiology Taping and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Cervicogenic Headache: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Cervicogenic headache is a common condition caused by issue in the cervical spine, leading to chronic head pain.Various treatments exist, including kinesiology Taping and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, but there is limited evidence comparing their effectiveness.Objective: In this study, the effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and kinesiology taping on pain severity, range of motion, and functional status in individuals with cervicogenic headache were compared.Methodology: In the physiotherapy department of Healing Hands Institute, Mega Medical Complex, Rawalpindi, 36 participants with clinically diagnosed cervicogenic headache, headache, and stiffness in the neck, positive flexion rotation test with restriction of 6-10 degrees unilateral headache, aged 30-44 years, were divided into two equal groups for a clinical experiment that was randomized.While Group B received conventional therapy together with Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilizations (IASTM), Group A received conventional treatment along with Kinesiology Taping.Using a non-probability purposeful sampling approach, data was gathered at baseline and the fourth week to measure the indicator using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, and Bubble Inclinometer.SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis.(CTR : NCT05474612) Results: At 4 weeks of intervention, both groups A and B saw substantial improvements in disability, range of motion, and discomfort (p < 0.05).Although there were no statistically significant differences in cervical flexion, extension, left lateral flexion, or left rotation (p > 0.05), between-group analysis revealed statistically significant differences in NPRS, NDI, cervical right rotation, and cervical right lateral flexion (p < 0.05).In the case of within-group comparisons, all measures showed statistically significant changes (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The study concludes that the use of both instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and kinesiology taping has been successful in improving range of motion and lowering pain and impairment.However, Group B (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) had a more notable improvement.