Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Mechanical Neck Dysfunction (MND) affects about two thirds of people in middle age with common cause of bad posture in people who spend much of their working day at a desk with a bent-forward posture. Kinesio taping (KT) is a new therapeutic modality to correct and treat many musculoskeletal disorders. Postural correction is a common treatment approach includes repetitions of cervical and scapular retraction. Purpose: it was to determine the effect of kinesio taping and postural correction exercises on neck pain level, neck disability, cervical spine curvature, cervical muscles activation amplitudes and frequencies in patients with MND. Methods: Forty five patients from both sexes with age ranged from 20-35 years with MND were participated in this study. They were assigned randomly and equally to three equal groups. Pain, neck disability, cervical curve, dominant upper trapezius and levator scapula muscles activities were measured pre and post treatment by visual analogue scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), flexible ruler, electromyography (EMG) respectively. Each patient's group received 2 treatment sessions per week for four weeks; group A received kinesio taping, group B received postural correction exercises, and group C received both. Results: There was a significant decrease in VAS, NDI, upper trapezius (UT) and levator scapula (LV) normalized root mean square, and significant increase in cervical curve, UT, and LV median frequencies in all 3 groups with highest difference for group C. Conclusion: The results suggest treatment of MND with both kinesio taping and postural correction exercises as it has greater effect than separate modality

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