Kinesiology Taping Versus Self-Mobilization for Neck Pain Related to Prolonged Electronic Device Use

NCT07878845 — Not applicable, Not yet recruiting, 27 participants, Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

ClinicalTrials Daily · Areas · Conditions · Drugs · Sponsors ·

Effects of Kinesiology Taping Versus Self-Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide Mobilization on Pain, Neck Disability, Cervical Proprioception, Respiratory Muscle Strength, and Upper Trapezius Muscle Activity in Individuals With Neck Pain Related to Prolonged Electronic Device Use: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Registry	NCT07878845
Status	Not yet recruiting
Phase	Not applicable
Study type	Interventional; randomized, parallel, masking: single, treatment
Enrollment	27 (Estimated)
Sponsor	Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa (Other); collaborators: Bingol University
Conditions	Neck Pain
Interventions	Kinesiology Taping, Self-SNAG Mobilization (Device, other)
Dates	start 2026-09-17 (estimated), primary completion 2026-10-11 (estimated), completion 2026-11-10 (estimated), first posted 2026-10-16, last updated 2026-10-16

-Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether kinesiology taping or self-mobilization better reduces neck pain in adults who use electronic devices for long periods each day. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does kinesiology taping or self-mobilization lead to greater reduction in neck pain after 4 weeks?
* Do the two treatments differ in their effects on neck-related disability, neck position sense, breathing muscle strength, and upper trapezius muscle activity?

Researchers will compare kinesiology taping with self-sustained natural apophyseal glide (self-SNAG) mobilization to see which approach is more effective.

Participants will:

* Be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups
* Receive kinesiology tape applied to the back of the neck every 4 days for 4 weeks, or learn and perform a towel-assisted neck self-mobilization exercise for 4 weeks
* Receive education on posture and self-management
* Complete assessments of pain, neck disability, neck position sense, breathing muscle strength, and neck-shoulder muscle activity at the start of the study, after 4 weeks, and 1 month later

Expand all sections · Collapse all

+Detailed description

Prolonged use of electronic devices is associated with sustained cervical flexion and altered activation of the cervicoscapular musculature, particularly the upper trapezius. Kinesiology taping and Mulligan self-mobilization are commonly used conservative approaches; however, their comparative effects on pain, cervical proprioception, respiratory muscle strength, and muscle activity in this population remain unclear.

In this single-blind, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, adults with neck pain (VAS > 3/10) and a history of electronic device use of at least 4 hours per day during the preceding year will be randomized to kinesiology taping (8 applications over 4 weeks) or self-SNAG mobilization performed with mirror-based visual feedback. Both groups will receive standardized education on posture and self-management.

Bilateral upper trapezius surface electromyography will be recorded during isometric shoulder elevation using a wireless sEMG system, with electrode placement according to SENIAM guidelines, and normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. A bilateral upper trapezius EMG asymmetry index will be derived from the normalized right- and left-side values.

Primary and secondary outcomes will be analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with random intercepts for participants. As a pre-specified secondary analysis, the association between baseline bilateral upper trapezius EMG asymmetry and change in pain intensity will be examined, including its interaction with treatment group.

+Arms and interventions

Arm	Type	Interventions	Description
Kinesiology Taping	Experimental	Device: Kinesiology Taping	Participants receive kinesiology tape (5 cm wide, 0.5 mm thick, water-resistant) applied to the posterior cervical region in a seated neutral position. A Y-strip is applied over the cervical extensors from T1-T2 to C1-C2 with approximately 25% tension, and a second strip is applied perpendicularly across C3-C6. The tape is reapplied every 4 days by a trained physiotherapist for a total of 8 applications over 4 weeks. Participants also receive standardized education on posture and self-management.
Self-SNAG Mobilization	Active comparator	Other: Self-SNAG Mobilization	Participants are trained by an experienced physiotherapist to perform towel-assisted self-administered sustained natural apophyseal glide (self-SNAG) mobilization at the C5 level, with mirror-based visual feedback. The end-range rotation position is sustained for 3 seconds, with 10 repetitions per session within a pain-free range, \[frequency, e.g., once daily\] for 4 weeks. Participants also receive standardized education on posture and self-management.

Kinesiology Taping (Device): Elastic therapeutic tape applied to the posterior cervical region (Y-strip over the cervical extensors with approximately 25% tension and a perpendicular strip across C3-C6), reapplied every 4 days for 8 applications over 4 weeks.
Self-SNAG Mobilization (Other): Towel-assisted self-administered sustained natural apophyseal glide at C5 with mirror-based visual feedback, 10 repetitions per session with 3-second end-range holds, performed over 4 weeks.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

Change in Neck Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale) [Baseline and week 4 (end of intervention)]: Neck pain intensity is assessed using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain.

Secondary outcomes

Change in Neck-Related Disability (Neck Disability Index) [Baseline, week 4, and week 8]: Self-reported neck-related disability is assessed using the 10-item Neck Disability Index (total score 0-50). Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Change in Cervical Joint Position Sense Error [Baseline, week 4, and week 8]: Cervical joint position sense error is measured in centimeters using a head-mounted laser pointer and a target placed 90 cm from the seated participant, following active cervical flexion, extension, and left and right rotation. The mean deviation across five repetitions per direction is recorded. Higher values indicate poorer proprioceptive accuracy.
Change in Upper Trapezius Muscle Activity (Surface Electromyography) [Baseline, week 4, and week 8]: Bilateral upper trapezius activity is recorded with wireless surface electromyography during isometric shoulder elevation (three 7-second contractions) and expressed as root-mean-square amplitude normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC).
Bilateral Upper Trapezius EMG Asymmetry Index [Baseline, week 4, and week 8]: EMG asymmetry is calculated from normalized right- and left-side upper trapezius activity as \|Right - Left\| / \[(Right + Left) / 2\] x 100. A value of 0% indicates perfect symmetry; higher values indicate greater bilateral imbalance. Baseline asymmetry will be examined as a predictor of change in pain intensity.

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to any

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 18 years or older
* Neck pain with an intensity greater than 3 on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale
* Use of electronic devices for at least 4 hours per day during the preceding year
* Willingness to participate and provision of written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cervical or shoulder surgery within the past 6 months
* Previously diagnosed cervical pathology, including whiplash-associated disorder, cervical spondylolisthesis, disc herniation, or rheumatoid arthritis
* Current use of analgesics, opioids, or corticosteroids
* Skin allergy, open wounds, or skin lesions in the cervical region that preclude kinesiology tape application