Abstract
Purpose/Hypothesis:
Forward head posture is a common postural malalignment of the cervical spine. Shih et al., describes forward head posture as the anterior deviation of the head relative to the center of gravity of the body1. This malalignment is a primary contributor to neck discomfort and tightness. Current literature reports the effectiveness of kinesiology tape (KT) or stretching for forward head posture and upper trapezius tightness. However, these interventions have not been directly compared in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of postural education (PE), PE with cervical stretches, and PE with the tactile feedback of taping in patients with upper trapezius (UT) trigger points and forward head posture.
Number of Subjects:
Forty-six participants were randomly allocated into three groups.
Materials and Methods:
Craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured in sitting while performing a computer task and pressure point algometry was taken of the most sensitive trigger point in the UT. Groups included: a PE control group (PE, n=18), a stretching with PE group (S, n=13), and a tactile feedback with PE group (TF, n=15). All participants received education and training via handouts and verbal instruction at weeks 1, 3 and 6. Individuals in the stretching group received treatment twice a week, which included passive stretching of the UT, levator scapulae, and suboccipital muscles. KT was used to provide feedback to the tactile feedback (TF) group. KT was replaced every 48-72 hours, twice a week for 6 weeks.
Results:
CVA for both the PE (control) and stretching group showed no significant difference between weeks 1 and 6 (p=.136, p= .254), and weeks 6 and 10 (p=.788, p=.223). In the TF group, a significant difference was observed between weeks 1 and 6 (p=.028) and no significant difference between weeks 6 and 10 (p=.549) for CVA. There was no significant difference between or within groups across time for PPA. Therefore, we failed to reject the null hypothesis and the variances are roughly homogeneous.
Conclusions:
The results of this study revealed that the use of tactile feedback via KT is more effective than PE and stretching interventions at improving CVA angle over time in participants with FHP and upper trapezius discomfort. No groups were able to demonstrate carry over effects from posttest to one month follow up. Additionally, TF via KT is no more effective in reducing trigger point sensitivity in individuals with upper trapezius trigger points compared to PE alone and stretching.
Clinical Relevance:
TF is effective in improving CVA in short term follow ups for individuals with FHP and is recommended as an adjunct in a rehabilitation program.
Forward head posture is a common postural malalignment of the cervical spine. Shih et al., describes forward head posture as the anterior deviation of the head relative to the center of gravity of the body1. This malalignment is a primary contributor to neck discomfort and tightness. Current literature reports the effectiveness of kinesiology tape (KT) or stretching for forward head posture and upper trapezius tightness. However, these interventions have not been directly compared in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of postural education (PE), PE with cervical stretches, and PE with the tactile feedback of taping in patients with upper trapezius (UT) trigger points and forward head posture.
Number of Subjects:
Forty-six participants were randomly allocated into three groups.
Materials and Methods:
Craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured in sitting while performing a computer task and pressure point algometry was taken of the most sensitive trigger point in the UT. Groups included: a PE control group (PE, n=18), a stretching with PE group (S, n=13), and a tactile feedback with PE group (TF, n=15). All participants received education and training via handouts and verbal instruction at weeks 1, 3 and 6. Individuals in the stretching group received treatment twice a week, which included passive stretching of the UT, levator scapulae, and suboccipital muscles. KT was used to provide feedback to the tactile feedback (TF) group. KT was replaced every 48-72 hours, twice a week for 6 weeks.
Results:
CVA for both the PE (control) and stretching group showed no significant difference between weeks 1 and 6 (p=.136, p= .254), and weeks 6 and 10 (p=.788, p=.223). In the TF group, a significant difference was observed between weeks 1 and 6 (p=.028) and no significant difference between weeks 6 and 10 (p=.549) for CVA. There was no significant difference between or within groups across time for PPA. Therefore, we failed to reject the null hypothesis and the variances are roughly homogeneous.
Conclusions:
The results of this study revealed that the use of tactile feedback via KT is more effective than PE and stretching interventions at improving CVA angle over time in participants with FHP and upper trapezius discomfort. No groups were able to demonstrate carry over effects from posttest to one month follow up. Additionally, TF via KT is no more effective in reducing trigger point sensitivity in individuals with upper trapezius trigger points compared to PE alone and stretching.
Clinical Relevance:
TF is effective in improving CVA in short term follow ups for individuals with FHP and is recommended as an adjunct in a rehabilitation program.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| State | Published - 2020 |
| Event | APTA Combined Sections Meeting - Denver, United States Duration: Feb 15 2020 → … https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2020/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/24156 https://apta.confex.com/apta/csm2020/meetingapp.cgi/Session/2490 |
Conference
| Conference | APTA Combined Sections Meeting |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Denver |
| Period | 02/15/20 → … |
| Internet address |