A comparative study of the immediate, late and lasting effect of Kinesio taping and stabilization exercises on neck proprioception in people with forward head posture: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Previous researches show that there is a meaningful relationship between forward head posture and dysfunction of proprioception. The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate, late and last effect of kinesio taping (KT) and stabilization exercise (SE) on neck proprioception in people with forward head posture. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, forty three women with forward head posture (18-35 years old) were randomly assigned into 3 groups: KT group (n=15), SE group (n=12), KT with SE group (n=16). Joint repositioning error angle changes were measured in three positions: neutral to full neck flexion, neutral to 50% of full flexion, 50% of full flexion to neutral position through a digital dual inclinometer in four sessions including: first session (pre-intervention), second session (immediately after intervention), third session (end of 4 weeks intervention) and fourth session (one month after the last intervention to evaluate the persistency of intervention). In the KT group, kinesiotape was used 3 times a week, in the SE group, stabilization exercises administered 3 times a day, and in the KT + SE the intervention was the same as the two groups. The intervention was performed for 4 weeks. Persistency of the treatment was evaluated one month after the intervention. Results: the results of ANOVA test showed no significant difference between the three intervention groups (P>0.05). In the within-group study, a significant difference was observed in the repositioning error angle changes before and one month after the intervention (P<0.05). But no significant difference was observed in the study of the immediate effect of the intervention (P>0.05). Conclusion: It seems that KT, SE, and KT plus SE are effective in reducing repositioning error angle of neck and improving proprioception in people with forward head posture