A comparison of the effects of Mulligan's mobilization and Kinesio taping on pain, range of motion, muscle strength, and neck disability in patients with Cervical Spondylosis: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND

Cervical Spondylosis (CS) is a degenerative and painful pathology, which needs conservative treatment to relieve symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to investigate the effects of Mulligan's mobilization (MM) and Kinesio taping (KT) on pain, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, and function in CS.

METHODS

Forty-five subjects were randomly placed into three groups: Group 1: control group (conventional rehabilitation-CR); Group 2: MM and CR; Group 3: KT and CR. Assessments including neck pain, cervical ROM, muscle strength and Neck Disability index (NDI) were conducted at baseline, after three-week treatment, and at one-month follow up. Results were analyzed using ANCOVA.

RESULTS

In all groups, pain and NDI scores reduced, cervical ROM and muscle strength increased with time (p< 0.001). Greater improvements in neck extension, left and right rotation were obtained in the KT and MM groups when compared to the control group (p< 0.05). In the KT group, improvement in right lateral flexion ROM was greater than the control and deep cervical flexor muscle strength was greater than the MM and the control groups (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

KT and MM contributed to CR for increasing cervical ROM and deep cervical flexor muscle strength in patients with CS.