Effect of Kinesio taping versus mechanical cervical traction combined with physiotherapy program on chronic neck pain in young female university students

Background: Mechanical neck pain is common among young female university students and can lead to
disability and reduced physical activity.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the e®ect of Kinesio taping (KT) to mechanical cervical
traction (MCT) on young female university students with chronic neck pain.
Methods: Sixty young female university students with mechanical neck pain participated in this study; their
ages ranged from 19 years to 23 years. They were assigned to three equal groups: the control group (A)
received infrared, massage, stretching, and strengthening exercises three days per week for 6 weeks. Experimental group B received cervical traction in addition to the same program as the control, and experimental
group C received KT in addition to the same program as the control group. Absolute pain intensity by the
visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) were measured pre-and post-treatment intervention. Data were gathered at baseline, and after 6 weeks of intervention for three groups.
Results: The MANOVA test showed a signi¯cant reduction in NDI and pain level after 6 weeks between preand post-treatment intervention in group B (P < 0:001 and P < 0:001, respectively). There was a signi¯cant
reduction in pain after 6 weeks in group C. There was also a signi¯cant reduction in NDI and pain level after 6
weeks in group B versus control group (P < 0:001 and P ¼ 0:001, respectively). In addition, a signi¯cant