
==== Front
Pain Ther
Pain Ther
Pain and Therapy
2193-8237
2193-651X
Springer Healthcare Cheshire

39039345
635
10.1007/s40122-024-00635-0
Review
Effects of Kinesio Taping on Neck Pain: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Hu Qian 1
Liu Ying 2
Yin Shao 2
Zou Hui 3
Shi Houyin 4
Zhu Fengya notfounds@foxmail.com

5
1 https://ror.org/0026mdx79 grid.459766.f Meishan City People’s Hospital, Meishan, China
2 grid.411304.3 0000 0001 0376 205X Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
3 https://ror.org/00hagsh42 grid.464460.4 Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Renshou County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Meishan, China
4 grid.488387.8 Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
5 https://ror.org/04khs3e04 grid.507975.9 0000 0005 0267 7020 Zigong First People’s Hospital, Zigong, China
22 7 2024
22 7 2024
10 2024
13 5 10311046
7 4 2024
26 6 2024
© The Author(s) 2024
2024
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.
Introduction

Neck pain constitutes a prevalent and burdensome health issue, substantially impairing patients’ quality of life and functional capabilities. Kinesio taping (KT), a commonly employed intervention within physical therapy, holds promise for mitigating such symptoms; however, a comprehensive evaluation of its efficacy and evidence base is lacking. Therefore, this study endeavors to systematically investigate the therapeutic effects of KT on both subjective neck pain intensity and objective measures of physical activity limitations through a rigorous meta-analytic approach. By synthesizing existing literature and scrutinizing methodological nuances, we aim to furnish healthcare practitioners with evidence-informed insights, facilitating more judicious clinical decision-making and optimizing patient outcomes.

Methods

According to the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted searches on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of KT in treating neck pain. Screening was performed based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Characteristics of the included RCTs were extracted. Trial heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17 software. Risk of bias and methodological quality were evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the PEDro scale, respectively.

Results

In our analysis of 10 RCTs involving 620 patients meeting our inclusion criteria, KT demonstrated significant beneficial effects on neck pain, notably surpassing conventional treatment (weighted mean difference = −0.897, 95% CI −1.30 to −0.49, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis further revealed that KT exhibited particularly pronounced efficacy in the treatment of nonspecific neck pain and mechanical neck pain, with a more substantial effect observed after 4 weeks of KT intervention compared to 1 week. Moreover, KT demonstrated superior efficacy in alleviating pain symptoms compared to both conventional treatment and sham interventions.

Conclusion

KT has demonstrated efficacy in reducing neck pain and improving cervical dysfunction among patients. Prolonged KT treatment or its combination with other therapeutic modalities may potentially enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO CRD42024524685.

Keywords

Neck pain
Kinesio taping
Pain management
Meta-analysis
Randomized controlled trial
issue-copyright-statement© Springer Healthcare Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2024
==== Body
pmcKey Summary Points

Why carry out this study?	
Neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that often occurs alongside back pain, affecting a significant portion of the population.	
It is estimated that more than half of all individuals will experience neck pain at least once during their lifetime, leading to substantial pain, disability, and economic burden.	
To date, there has been no comprehensive and systematic assessment of the impact of Kinesio taping (KT) on neck pain and related negative physical activities.	
What was learned from the study?	
KT shows notable efficacy in reducing neck pain, especially in cases of nonspecific and mechanical neck pain.	
This finding holds significant implications for the improvement of individual patients’ quality of life and offers a viable, cost-effective option for pain management within community and public health strategies.	

Introduction

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder, often concomitant with back pain. It is estimated that over 60% of the population experiences neck pain at least once in their lifetime [1], leading to significant pain, disability, and economic burdens [2]. Since 2010, neck pain has consistently ranked among the top five causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally for individuals aged 25–74 years [3]. At present, neck pain poses a range of intricate challenges, necessitating medical and lifestyle interventions. A key challenge lies in accurate neck pain diagnosis, stemming from intrinsic factors such as muscle strain or injury around the neck, degenerative cervical vertebral changes, cervical disc herniation or protrusion, cervical spondylosis, muscular spasms, and even psychological stress [4–7]. Extrinsic factors commonly include prolonged poor posture and neck trauma, such as whiplash injuries from accidents [8, 9]. This multitude of causes complicates treatment, requiring a collaborative approach involving medical intervention, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. Moreover, modern work and lifestyle alterations characterized by prolonged sedentary behavior and inadequate exercise contribute to the escalating incidence of neck pain [10].

Multiple interventions have been employed for the treatment of neck pain, with previous systematic reviews recommending non-pharmacological interventions such as manual therapy, joint mobilization, strength training, massage therapy, and joint mobilization [11–14]. Kinesio taping (KT) is a noninvasive therapeutic technique involving the application of elastic tape to the patient’s skin under tension. The tape is capable of stretching to 130–140% of its original length, thereby providing a constant shear force to the skin. According to its creator, Dr. Kenzo Kase, the beneficial effects of KT may involve mechanisms including pain inhibition, muscle relaxation, joint support, and improvement of blood circulation [15]. Previous reports suggest it can alleviate various types of pain and can be used to treat a range of musculoskeletal issues such as myofascial pain syndrome, acute sprains, and chronic low back pain, without limiting joint mobility [16–18].

In recent years, several reviews have synthesized the effects of KT on pain [19–22], suggesting its potential beneficial role in pain relief. However, some reviews have discussed mechanisms focusing primarily on conditions such as pregnancy-related back pain, osteoarthritis pain, and post-stroke pain. Despite the numerous studies, comprehensive reviews on the effectiveness of KT in managing neck pain are still limited. Within the framework of evidence-based medicine, the proof of KT’s effectiveness in reducing neck pain remains insufficient. Therefore, to clarify this, we conducted a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This study aims to provide the latest evidence on the effectiveness of KT in managing neck pain.

Methods

This study has been registered in PROSPERO under registration number CRD 42024512585. Additionally, we strictly adhered to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines in conducting and reporting the current systematic review and meta-analysis. The PRISMA 2020 checklist is shown in the Supplementary Material.

Eligibility Criteria

This study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines [23]. It constitutes a systematic review, utilizing data exclusively from published literature, without involving any trials or experiments. Consequently, this study does not require ethical approval, as it is based on previously conducted research and does not include any new research by the authors involving human participants or animals. The study has been registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024524685), and the original review protocol remains unchanged. The inclusion criteria are as follows:

Participants

Participants with various internal and external causes of neck pain, such as muscle or ligament strains, cervical disc protrusion or herniation, trauma, or surgery.

Intervention

Intervention involving KT as the primary intervention.

Comparator

Comparison with sham taping or conventional treatment, where the specific interventions in the control group must be consistent with those in the intervention group.

Outcome

Outcome measures including Visual Analog Scale (VAS) or Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) as the primary endpoints and Neck Disability Index (NDI) as the secondary endpoint.

Study Types

This review includes RCTs, without geographical restrictions but limited to studies published in English.

Exclusion Criteria

Reviews, conference papers, animal studies, unclear intervention methods, incomplete data, and non-peer-reviewed articles were excluded.

Search Strategy

We conducted searches on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science (WOS) for relevant studies published up to March 10, 2024. Additionally, we conducted a manual search for relevant literature using Google Scholar to identify additional eligible studies. Detailed search strategies and exclusion criteria can be found in the Supplementary Materials.

Study Selection

The retrieval records obtained from the search strategy were imported into EndNote 21 to remove duplicate records. Subsequently, the titles and abstracts were screened in the first stage of selection, followed by a full-text review to determine the final inclusion of studies. Two reviewers (QH and YL) independently conducted the literature retrieval and screening process. Any discrepancies between the two reviewers were resolved through discussion. If consensus could not be reached, a third reviewer (FYZ) made the final decision.

Data Extraction

Two reviewers independently conducted data extraction using a standardized form. The extracted content included author names and publication years, nationality, sample size, age and gender of participants, intervention measures and related parameters, and outcome indicators. In cases where original research data could not be obtained from the articles, a current study researcher contacted the corresponding authors of the original studies to obtain the necessary information. After independent extraction, the data were cross-checked, and any discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer (FYZ).

Assessment of Risk of Bias

Two reviewers (QH and YL) independently assessed the risk of bias in the included studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) 2 tool. The assessment included five aspects: randomization process, deviations from intended interventions, missing outcome data, measurement of the outcome, and selection of the reported result. Each aspect of the study’s overall risk of bias was evaluated as high risk, some concerns, or low risk. After independent assessments, discrepancies were resolved through discussion, and a third reviewer (FYZ) was consulted if necessary. Additionally, we used the PEDro scale to evaluate the methodological quality of the included RCTs. Studies with PEDro scores of 6–10 were considered high quality, scores of 4–5 were considered moderate quality, and scores of 0–3 were considered low quality [24, 25]. Any disagreements were resolved through consultation with the third reviewer (FYZ).

Data Synthesis and Statistical Analysis

We utilized Stata 17 software for statistical analysis, using standardized mean difference (SMD) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for continuous data. If heterogeneity was high (I2 ≥ 50% or P < 0.05), we employed a random-effects model and conducted subgroup analyses to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Otherwise, a fixed-effects model was utilized. For values of I2 ≥ 75%, we considered there to be “substantial heterogeneity,” and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the stability of the results. For all analyses, a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In studies where multiple outcome measures were used to assess the same outcome domain, preference was given to the primary outcome measure reported in the article for analysis.

Results

Results on Literature Search and Selection

We retrieved a total of 330 relevant articles from the four databases. After removing duplicates, 132 articles were excluded. Subsequently, the remaining articles were evaluated through title, abstract, and thorough full-text reading, resulting in the inclusion of 10 eligible studies. A detailed flowchart illustrating this process can be found in Fig. 1.Fig. 1 The screening flowchart. WOS, web of science; RCTs, randomized controlled trials

Characteristics of Included Study

This study included a total of 10 RCTs [11, 26–34], all of which were published in English between 2009 and 2024. A total of 620 patients participated, with 313 receiving KT treatment and 307 receiving conventional treatment or conventional treatment combined with sham taping. Among studies, three RCTs [11, 29, 30] used sham taping with the same taping method as the treatment group but without tension, and one RCT [32] directly compared KT with cervical thrust manipulation [32]. Four studies reported on patients’ disease course [26, 30–32], and six studies reported on body mass index (BMI) [11, 27–29, 33, 34]. All studies assessed patients’ pain using relevant scoring methods. Five studies [11, 29, 31, 33, 34] used the VAS for neck pain intensity, with scores ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain, 5 indicates moderate pain, and 10 indicates severe pain [35]. Four studies [26, 28, 30, 32] used the NPRS, which ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating the worst pain, proving to be a reliable and effective tool for assessing pain [36]. Eight studies reported on the NDI, with Jeon et al. [31] using the Korean version and two studies using the Turkish version [29, 34]. The remaining five studies used the standard version of the NDI, which evaluates functional impairment related to neck pain. NDI is a mature, commonly used, reliable, and effective patient-reported tool designed to quantify grades of neck pain and functional impairment using 10 questions, including pain intensity, headaches, attention, sleep, lifting, and work, with a total score of 50 points, positively correlated with functional impairment associated with cervical abnormalities [37, 38]. Detailed characteristics of the literature are provided in Table 1.Table 1 Characteristics of the randomized controlled studies

Study	Study design	Country	Sample size (T,C)	Age [mean(SD)] (T,C)	Gender (male/female) (T, C)	BMI [mean(SD)] (T,C)	Course of disease	Intervention	Types of pain	Treatment time	Duration of trial period	Outcome indicator	
T	C	
Sidiq (2024)	RCT	India	69, 67	42.74 ± 8.7, 44.82 ± 7.43	23/46, 29/38	25.97 ± 2.97,

25.52 ± 3.24

	NR	DTC + PT	STC + PT	Nonspecific neck pain	10–15 min for DTC + 45 min for PT	4 weeks (3 days a week)	VAS, NDI	
Jeon (2024)	RCT	Korea	22, 21	59.41 ± 7.74, 59.48 ± 7.08	NR	NR	Longer than 12 weeks	KT + self-stretching exercise	Self-stretching exercise	Nonspecific neck pain	5 days a week for KT + each exercise was repeated five times, three times a day	4 weeks (5 days a week)	VAS, NDI	
Toprak Celenay (2021)	RCT	Turkey	21, 22	40.19 ± 7.80, 43.63 ± 8.64	10/11, 9/13	25.80 ± 3.03,

27.34 ± 3.46

	NR	KT + CSE	CM + CSE	Nonspecific neck pain	3 days a week for KT, 20 min for CM, 50 min for CSE	4 weeks (3 days a week)	VAS, NDI	
Elabd (2020)	RCT	Egypt	30, 31	27.1 ± 4.51, 27.58 ± 4.28	16/14, 15/16	27.86 ± 3.16,

27.92 ± 3.29

	NR	KT + PCE	PCE	Mechanical cervical dysfunction	4 days a week for KT, Each exercise was performed as 3 sets of 10 repetitions for PCE	4 weeks (4 days a week)	NPRS	
Arias-Buría (2020)	RCT	Spain	17, 17	25 ± 4, 25 ± 5	10/7, 9/8	NR	10.0 ± 2.2 months,

8.8 ± 2.3 months

	KT + TrPs	TrP	Mechanical neck pain	72 h for KT	3 days	NPRS, NDI	
Alahmari (2020)	RCT	Saudi Arabia	33, 33	22.73 ± 6.70, 23.15 ± 6.64	NR	22.73 ± 1.66,

23.28 ± 1.86

	NR	KT	Sham	Mechanical neck pain	7 days for KT	7 days	VAS, NDI	
Genç (2019)	RCT	Turkey	37, 37	51.6 ± 14.9, 49.2 ± 16.3	10/24, 7/27	30.2 ± 5.8,

28.3 ± 6.0

	NR	KT	Sham	Thyroidectomy	7 days for KT	7 days	VAS, NDI	
El-Abd (2017)	RCT	Egypt	23, 23	27.18 ± 3.63, 27.35 ± 3.63	10/13, 11/12	28 ± 3.78,

28.06 ± 3.08

	NR	KT + PCE	PCE	Mechanical neck dysfunction	4 weeks for KT, 3 sets of 10 repetitions each twice a week for PCE	4 weeks	NDI	
Saavedra-Hernández (2012)	RCT	Spain	40, 36	46 ± 9, 44 ± 10	21/9, 19/17	NR	82 ± 19 months,

75 ± 18 months

	KT	CTM	Mechanical neck pain	7 days for KT, 2 times for CTM	7 days	NPRS, NDI	
González-Iglesias (2009)	RCT	Spain	21, 20	33 ± 6, 32 ± 7	10/11, 10/10	NR	22 ± 9 days,

24 ± 8 days

	KT	Sham	Acute whiplash injury	24 h for KT	24 h	NPRS	
BMI body mass index; SD standard deviation; RCT randomized controlled trial; T treatment group; C control group; STC sham taping with conventional physiotherapy; PT physical therapy; DTC dynamic taping with conventional physiotherapy; KT Kinesio taping; CM classical massage; CSE cervical stabilization exercise; PCE postural correction exercise; TrPs dry needling of active trigger point; CTM cervical thrust manipulation; NR not reported; VAS Visual Analog Scale; NDI Neck Disability Index; NRPS Numeric Pain Rating Scale

Risk of Bias

We assessed risk of bias for the 10 RCTs using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. One study was rated as high risk, four studies were rated as some concern, and five studies were rated as low risk. Additionally, according to the PEDro scale, all 10 studies scored ≥ 7 points, indicating high methodological quality. All participants were blinded in the studies, with six studies implementing double-blinding and three studies reporting triple-blinding. The detailed bias risk assessment can be found in Fig. 2 and Table 2.Fig. 2 Risk of bias in RCTs. DTC, dynamic taping with conventional physiotherapy; PT, physical therapy; KT, Kinesio taping; SSE, self-stretching exercise; CSE, cervical stabilization exercise; TrPs, dry needling of active trigger point; PCE, postural correction exercise; CTM, cervical thrust manipulation; STC, sham taping with conventional physiotherapy; VAS, Visual Analog Scale; NDI, Neck Disability Index; NRPS, Numeric Pain Rating Scale

Table 2 PEDro scores of the included studies

Study	Eligibility criteria	Random allocation	Concealed allocation	Baseline comparability	Participants blinded	Therapists blinded	Assessors blinded	Adequate follow-up	No missing data or intention-to-treat analysis	Between-group comparisons	Point estimates and variability	Total score (/10)	
Sidiq (2024)	Yes	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	10	
Jeon (2024)	Yes	1	1	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	1	9	
Toprak Celenay (2021)	Yes	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	10	
Elabd (2020)	Yes	1	1	1	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	9	
Arias-Buría (2020)	Yes	1	1	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	1	9	
Alahmari (2020)	Yes	1	1	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	1	8	
Genç (2019)	Yes	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	0	9	
El-Abd (2017)	Yes	1	1	1	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	9	
Saavedra-Hernández (2012)	Yes	1	1	1	1	1	0	1	1	1	0	8	
González-Iglesias (2009)	Yes	1	1	1	1	1	0	1	1	1	0	8	
1 = Yes, 0 = No

Results of the Meta-Analysis

Primary results: Nine studies reported pain-related scores. Given the high similarity between VAS and NPRS scores, we conducted an overall meta-analysis using a WMD random-effects model, demonstrating that compared to the control group, KT reduced patients’ pain scores (WMD = −0.897, 95% CI −1.30, −0.49, P < 0.001). However, substantial heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 73.1%, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses based on different types of pain scores revealed that using VAS scores, KT reduced patients’ pain scores (WMD = −0.99, 95% CI −1.66, −0.32, P = 0.004, Fig. 3). Using NPRS scores, KT improved patients’ pain scores (WMD = −0.78, 95% CI −1.27, −0.28, P = 0.002, Fig. 4A). Subgroup analyses based on different causes of disease showed that KT improved pain scores for nonspecific neck pain (WMD = −0.992, 95% CI −1.76, −0.21, P = 0.013) and mechanical neck pain (WMD = −0.992, 95% CI −1.76, −0.21, P = 0.012), but had no effect on other types of neck pain (WMD = −0.511, 95% CI −1.52, 0.49, P = 0.321, Fig. 4B). Subgroup analyses based on different intervention durations showed that a 4-week KT intervention was effective in improving pain (WMD = −1.031, 95% CI −1.57, −0.48, P < 0.001), while a 1-week KT intervention was not effective (WMD = 0.693, 95% CI −2.01, 0.62, P = 0.304). Interventions of less than 1 week were associated with reduced pain scores (WMD = −0.897, 95% CI −1.29, −0.35, P = 0.001, Fig. 4C). Subgroup analyses based on different intervention methods showed that compared to conventional treatment, KT was effective in improving pain (WMD = −0.831, 95% CI −1.30, −0.35, P = 0.001), and compared to sham treatment, KT also reduced patients’ pain scores (WMD = −0.982, 95% CI −1.95, −0.01, P = 0.047, Fig. 4D).Fig. 3 Forest plot for pain. WMD, weighted mean difference; CI, confidence interval

Fig. 4 Forest plot for subgroup analysis of pain. WMD, weighted mean difference; CI, confidence interval; VAS, Visual Analog Scale; NPRS, Numeric Pain Rating Scale; KT, Kinesio taping

Secondary outcomes: Eight studies reported NDI scores. Due to variations in the versions used across studies, we expressed the overall summary SMD results using a random-effects model. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in NDI improvement with KT (SMD = −0.423, 95% CI −0.71, −0.13, P = 0.005), despite substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 61.3%, P = 0.012, Fig. 5). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that KT reduced NDI for nonspecific neck pain (WMD = −0.786, 95% CI −1.06, −0.51, P < 0.001), while it had no significant effect on mechanical neck pain (WMD = −0.184, 95% CI −0.58, 0.215, P = 0.366) or other types of neck pain (WMD = −0.217, 95% CI −0.67, 0.24, P = 0.352, Fig. 6A). Subgroup analysis based on intervention duration showed that a 4-week KT intervention significantly reduced NDI (WMD = −0.786, 95% CI −1.06, −0.51, P < 0.001), while a 1-week KT intervention was ineffective (WMD = −0.345, 95% CI −0.75, 0.06, P = 0.102). Interventions of less than 1 week also showed no statistical significance in reducing NDI (WMD = 0.071, 95% CI −0.30, 0.44, P = 0.711, Fig. 6B). Subgroup analysis based on different intervention methods indicated that KT was effective in improving NDI compared to conventional treatment (WMD = −0.687, 95% CI −0.96, −0.41, P < 0.001). However, when compared to sham treatment, KT did not significantly reduce NDI (WMD = −0.068, 95% CI −0.33, 0.19, P = 0.616, Fig. 6C).Fig. 5 Forest plot for NDI. SMD, standard mean difference; CI, confidence interval; NDI, neck disability index

Fig. 6 Forest plot for subgroup analysis of NDI. SMD, standard mean difference; CI, confidence interval; KT, Kinesio taping

Sensitivity Analysis and Publication Bias

We conducted sensitivity analysis and assessed publication bias for the meta-analysis results. The findings indicated stability in both aspects. Egger’s test results revealed no significant publication bias (see Supplementary Material).

Discussion

To date, there has been no systematic review and meta-analysis conducted on the efficacy of Kinesio taping for treating neck pain. Our meta-analysis results integrated quantitative data on VAS, NPRS, and NDI scores related to KT treatment for neck pain. The data analysis revealed significant effects of KT in alleviating pain and improving cervical function in patients with neck pain. Initially, KT showed significant efficacy in reducing neck pain, especially in patients with nonspecific neck pain and mechanical neck pain. This finding was supported by subgroup analysis of VAS and NPRS scores, demonstrating significant pain reduction compared to the control group. This suggests that KT could serve as an effective non-pharmacological treatment for these types of neck pain. However, for other types of neck pain, the effectiveness of KT was not significant, indicating the need for more personalized approaches to treatment for different types of neck pain. Regarding the impact of different intervention durations, the results indicated that a 4-week KT intervention was most effective in improving pain, while the effect of a 1-week intervention was not significant. Although interventions shorter than 1 week were reported to reduce pain scores, we speculate that this may be due to the nature of neck pain in the randomized controlled trials with interventions lasting less than 1 week. For instance, Genç et al. [29] reported on postoperative neck pain, which could be attributed to surgical incision pain [39] or postoperative muscle adhesion [40], differing significantly from mechanical neck pain and nonspecific neck pain. Additionally, in the study by Saavedra-Hernández et al. [32] there was no additional treatment added to cervical thrust manipulation therapy; rather, the two groups were compared directly. The results also indicated that applying KT and cervical thrust manipulation had similar effects in reducing pain and disability. However, its effects may not be as long-lasting as with long-term interventions. This emphasizes the importance of continuous treatment for achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes and suggests considering the effects of different intervention durations in designing future studies.

From an intervention perspective, KT demonstrated favorable outcomes in pain reduction relative to conventional treatments, with significant, albeit minor, differences observed compared to sham interventions. These findings confirm KT’s effectiveness as a modality within physical therapy for managing neck pain, suggesting additional therapeutic benefits beyond the placebo effect. Moreover, the meta-analysis highlighted KT’s positive effects on NDI.

Recent research [33] indicates that compared to sham control, dynamic taping significantly improves functional impairment, pain intensity, and quality of life, demonstrating its potential as an effective intervention for managing chronic nonspecific neck pain. Jeon et al. [31] similarly found that adding self-stretching exercises to KT showed better results in improving chronic neck pain, muscle pain threshold, disability, and neck mobility in taxi drivers compared to using KT alone. This suggests that combining self-stretching exercises with KT is an effective approach for managing chronic neck pain in this group. Overall, KT significantly improved patients’ quality of life, particularly in those with nonspecific neck pain. While KT treatment effectively alleviated neck pain and related physical symptoms, NDI improvements were not significant for mechanical neck pain and other specific types, warranting further research to explore their impact on mental health and the potential role of muscle taping in these aspects. The exact etiology of neck pain remains unknown [41–43]. However, certain biomechanical factors, such as poor desk design, improper work posture, repetitive movements, and incorrect smartphone usage, are believed to contribute to its occurrence [44, 45]. Excessive activation of superficial neck muscles and reduced activity of deep neck muscles may be associated with complex regulatory mechanisms of the nervous system, leading to biomechanical abnormalities in the neck [46]. These abnormalities are manifested by restricted cervical range of motion (CROM) and alterations in movement function. These physiological changes are related to alterations in neural and muscular structures, potentially exacerbating pain perception and ultimately resulting in severe disability and decreased quality of life [47–49]. Ceylan et al. [47] objectively demonstrated through ultrasound examination that the use of KT for treating nonspecific neck pain resulted in greater improvements in trigger point diameter and trapezius thickness. The proposed mechanisms of action for Kinesio taping therapy include multiple aspects. Firstly, KT exerts a certain amount of recoil force, effectively increasing the gap between the skin and muscles, thereby promoting accelerated blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. This process indirectly improves the nutritional status of muscles and nerves, facilitates normal tissue metabolism, and reduces the accumulation of inflammatory substances in tissues, thereby eliminating aseptic inflammation [50, 51]. Additionally, KT may improve sensory input, restore proprioceptive feedback [52–54], and maintain beneficial changes in cortical areas related to posture control [55–57], which may help patients with neck pain counteract adverse postures, thereby improving pain. Clinical studies related to mechanics suggest that KT techniques may have potential applications in preventing neck injuries and re-injuries. Especially in states of increased neck loading, KT can utilize its own elastic properties to provide external mechanical support for muscles and bones without affecting normal neck joint mobility [15, 58]. A systematic review [59] also suggests that releasing neurotransmitters with analgesic effects may be one of the mechanisms by which KT relieves pain, although the specific impact of this mechanism cannot be determined. Mak et al. [59] suggest that KT can enhance wrist extensor muscle strength in healthy subjects after taping, but this effect is not significantly related to the electrophysiological characteristics of the taping site, suggesting that the increase in muscle strength may be due to a placebo effect. Two other studies [60, 61] also indicate that the promotion of muscle function by KT is related to the placebo effect. Furthermore, our meta-analysis results indicate that combining KT with other rehabilitation methods is more beneficial than single therapy, suggesting its use as an adjunctive treatment for achieving synergistic effects.

Limitations

Although our analysis indicates that KT therapy has a positive impact on alleviating neck pain and enhancing neck function, we must acknowledge several limitations in this study. First, we only searched four databases and included only literature published in English. The number of studies was limited, and there was considerable heterogeneity, which may affect the stability and reliability of the study results. Secondly, the use of different assessment tools and treatment durations across studies may contribute to variability and hinder result reproducibility. While the methodological quality of the included literature is generally high, the limited quantity may compromise the objectivity of the overall conclusions. Although no significant publication bias was detected, its potential presence cannot be completely ruled out. Additionally, due to constraints in study designs, we cannot dismiss the potential influence of other factors on the outcomes, such as individual patient differences, treatment adherence, and consistency in intervention implementation. Lastly, given the inherent nature of meta-analysis, we cannot ascertain the long-term efficacy and safety of KT therapy, underscoring the need for further long-term, large-scale clinical studies to comprehensively evaluate its therapeutic effects and potential risks. In summary, while KT therapy demonstrates some efficacy in addressing neck pain and functional impairments, cautious interpretation of these findings is warranted.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this meta-analysis, we conclude that KT therapy significantly improves neck pain and neck disorders. KT demonstrates favorable effects in reducing pain scores, particularly for nonspecific neck pain and mechanical neck pain, with more pronounced effects observed during a 4-week intervention period. Furthermore, KT therapy significantly improves NDI, particularly among patients with nonspecific neck pain. When compared to conventional treatment and sham intervention, KT exhibits clear advantages, providing an effective non-pharmacological option for managing neck pain.

Author Contributions

Qian Hu and Ying Liu were responsible for the literature screening and data extraction. Ying Liu, Shao Yin and Hui Zou were responsible for risk of bias assessment. Qian Hu and Houyin Shi was responsible for statistical analysis and writing up the article. Fengya Zhu was responsible for planning and guidance on this paper. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version. All authors have provided their consent for the publication of this meta-analysis. They agree with the content, and there are no conflicts regarding the submission and dissemination of the findings.

Funding

No funding or sponsorship was received for this study or publication of this article. The Rapid Service Fee was funded by the authors.

Data Availability

The data are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors (Qian Hu, Ying Liu, Shao Yin, Hui Zou, Houyin Shi and Fengya Zhu) declare that they have no competing interests relevant to this meta-analysis.

Ethical Approval

This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not contain any new studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.
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