Comparison of effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Kinesio Taping added to exercises in patients with myofascial pain syndrome
Affiliations: [a] Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ardahan State Hospital, Ardahan, Turkey | [b] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University Medical School, Kinikli, Denizli, Turkey | [c] Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yenimahalle Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey | [d] Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kocaeli State Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Nilgun Simsir Atalay, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University Medical School, Kinikli, Denizli, Turkey. Tel.: +90 258 2966000; Fax: +90 258 2965699; E-mail:drnilgunatalay@gmail.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although there are several studies of Transcutaneous
Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and exercise in myofascial pain
syndrome, there are no studies comparing the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping
(KT) and TENS in myofascial pain syndrome patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare the early and late effects of TENS and KT on pain,
disability and range of motion in myofascial pain syndrome patients. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were divided into three groups
randomly as TENS+Exercise, KT+Exercise and exercise groups. Visual Analogue
Scale (VAS), pain threshold, Neck Disability Index and cervical
contralateral lateral flexion were employed in the evaluation of the
patients performed before treatment, after treatment and 3rd month after treatment. RESULTS: The VAS, pain threshold, Neck Disability Index and
contralateral lateral flexion values were improved in all groups both in
after treatment and 3rd month after treatment (p< 0.01). In the comparison of
after treatment vs. before treatment evaluations, VAS score was decreased in
KT group compared to the TENS and control group (p= 0.001), in the TENS group
compared to control group (p= 0.011). In the comparison of 3rd month and
before treatment evaluations, VAS score was decreased in the TENS group
compared to control group (p= 0.001) and in the KT group compared to the
control group (p= 0.001). There was no significant difference between TENS
and KT groups. All other parameters did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: TENS and KT added exercises can decrease pain severity
and increase pain threshold, function and cervical range of motion in
myofascial pain syndrome patients. Addition of TENS or KT to the exercise
therapy resulted in more significant improvement compared to exercise
therapy alone with a more pronounced improvement in KT group compared to the
TENS group in the early period. Because KT was found to be more effective in
decreasing the pain and had the advantage of being used in every 3 days, it
seems to be beneficial in acute painful periods in myofascial pain syndrome
patients.
