Comparative effects of Conventional Physical Therapy, Kinesio Taping and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in acute Upper Trapezius Myofascial Pain Syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Conservative Physical Therapy (CPT), Kinesio Taping (KT), and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) have been used to treat Upper Trapezius Myofascial Pain Syndrome (UTMPS). In a health center where all three treatments can be performed, it is important to choose the most effective one in UTMPS treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of CPT, KT, and ESWT in the patients with UTMPS.
METHODS: 84 patients with acute UTMPS were randomised into three treatment groups: CPT, KT, and ESWT. All patients were evaluated at baseline (week 0), just after treatment (week 2) and one month after treatment (week 6). Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Restricted Angel of Cervical Extansion (RACE), Restricted Angel of Cervical Lateral Flexion (RACLF) scores were used as outcome measures.
RESULTS: All outcome measures just after treatment (week 2) and one month after treatment (week 6) were found to be significantly lower within the three treatment groups compared with the baseline (week 0) (for all, p<0.05). All outcome measures one month after the treatment (week 6) were found to be significantly lower in the ESWT group than in the other two treatment groups (for all, p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: CPT, KT, ESWT were found to be effective in the treatment of UTMPS. However, since ESWT has the most positive effect on outcome measures in the evaluation 1 month after the treatment (week 6), it can be preferred over the other two methods (CPT and KT) in the treatment of UTMPS.