Short-term effects of adding Kinesio taping to sustained natural apophyseal glides in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain: a randomised controlled trial

Background/Aims Chronic neck pain is a global musculoskeletal concern, exacerbated by modern sedentary lifestyles. This study evaluated whether adding Kinesio taping to sustained natural apophyseal glides enhances pain relief, pressure pain threshold, range of motion, proprioception, and disability outcomes in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods This randomised clinical trial involved 30 patients with chronic non-specific neck pain who were randomly allocated to two groups: the experimental group received conventional physiotherapy alongside sustained natural apophyseal glides and Kinesio taping, while the control group received conventional physiotherapy with sustained natural apophyseal glides alone. Outcome measures included pain intensity (visual analogue scale), pressure pain threshold (pressure algometry), range of motion (inclinometry), proprioception accuracy (absolute and relative errors in head repositioning), and neck pain (Neck Disability Index). Assessments were conducted at baseline and after six treatment sessions. Results After six sessions, the experimental group improved significantly in all variables ( P <0.05), except for left rotation range of motion ( P =0.07) and relative repositioning error ( P >0.05). The control group showed significant improvements in all variables ( P <0.05), except for pressure pain threshold and relative repositioning error ( P >0.05). Significant differences between groups were found in flexion ( P =0.05), right and left lateral flexion ( P =0.04), and right rotation range of motion ( P =0.04). Additionally, differences were noted in the absolute error of neutral head repositioning from right rotation ( P =0.005) and target head repositioning in left ( P =0.03). Conclusions Adding Kinesio taping to sustained natural apophyseal glides and conventional physiotherapy can offer enhanced clinical outcomes, particularly in range of motion and proprioceptive control. This combined therapeutic approach may provide a more effective intervention for managing chronic non-specific neck pain in clinical practice. Implications for practice The findings of this study can help allied health professionals, particularly physiotherapists managing chronic non-specific neck pain, to make informed clinical decisions regarding the potential benefits of adding Kinesio taping to manual therapy interventions.