Effects of Kinesio taping and exercise on forward head posture

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Shih, Hsu-Sheng^a | Chen, Shu-Shi^a | Cheng, Su-Chun^a | Chang, Hsun-Wen^a | Wu, Pei-Rong^a | Yang, Jin-Shiou^a | Lee, Yi-Shuang^b | Tsou, Jui-Yi^{a; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan | [b] Department of Rehabilitation, Dajia Lees General Hospital Lees Medical Corporation, Taichung, Taiwan

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Jui-Yi Tsou, Department of Physical Therapy, Fooyin University, 151 Jinxue Road, Daliao District, Kaohsiung 83102, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 6 7811151 ext 6220; Fax: +886 6 7862513; E-mail:[email protected]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of Kinesio taping and therapeutic exercise on correcting forward head posture. OBJECTIVE: To compare Kinesio taping versus therapeutic exercise for forward head posture on static posture, dynamic mobility and functional outcomes. METHODS: Sixty subjects (31 women, 29 men) with forward head postures participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to either one of the three groups: (1) exercise group (n = 20), (2) taping group (n = 20), and (3) control groups (n = 20). The horizontal forward displacement (HFD) between ear lobe and acromion process, upper cervical and lower cervical angle (UCA, LCA), active range of motion (AROM) of cervical spine, and neck disability index (NDI) were measured before and after a 5-week intervention, and a 2-week follow-up. Data were analyzed by means of a mixed design repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Both taping and exercise groups showed significant improvements in HFD compared with the control group at post-treatment and follow-up. Compared with the control group, the exercise group exhibited significant improvements in the LCA and the side bending AROM at post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Both Kinesio taping and therapeutic exercise improve forward head posture after intervention and a 2-week follow-up. The effectiveness of therapeutic exercise is better than taping.

Keywords: Forward head posture, Kinesio taping, therapeutic exercise

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150346

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 30, no. 4, pp. 725-733, 2017