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This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining Kinesio Taping (KT) with postural correction exercises and suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI) in managing tension-type headaches (TTH) among university students. The intervention's impact on headache intensity, frequency, and functional limitations will be compared with a control group performing postural correction and SMI alone.
Tension-type headache (TTH) is a common primary headache associated with muscular tension, poor posture, and psychological stress. Physiotherapy interventions including deep neck flexor exercises, suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI), and postural education have been shown to reduce pain and improve posture.
Kinesio Taping (KT) has been proposed as an adjunct that enhances proprioception, reduces muscle tension, and supports cervical alignment.
This randomized controlled trial will recruit 52 university students aged 18-25 years diagnosed with frequent episodic TTH according to ICHD-3 criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups:
Group A (Control): Postural correction + SMI Group B (Experimental): Kinesio Taping + Postural correction + SMI
Both groups will receive two treatment sessions per week for 4 weeks.
Assessments will be performed at baseline, after 4 weeks of treatment, and at a 1-month follow-up using validated measures for pain, frequency, and posture.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition | Active Comparator | Participants will receive a postural correction program consisting of: Deep neck flexor strengthening exercises (chin tucks, progressive resistance) Suboccipital muscle inhibition (manual pressure to release muscle tension) Ergonomic and postural education for studying and daily activities Two sessions per week for 4 weeks. |
|
| Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMI | Experimental | Participants will receive the same postural correction program as the control group with the addition of Kinesio Taping: Kinesio Tape applied to cervical spine and upper trapezius to enhance proprioception and reduce strain. Two sessions per week for 4 weeks. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postural Correction and SMI Program | Other | Deep neck flexor exercises, suboccipital muscle inhibition, and ergonomic education performed twice weekly for four weeks. |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Headache Intensity | Measurement Tool: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) / Numeric Pain Rating Scale Self-reported headache pain intensity (0-10 scale). | Baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, 1-month follow-up |
| Headache Frequency | Measurement Tool: Headache Diary Number of headache days per month recorded by participants. | Baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, 1-month follow-up |
| Headache Impact | Measurement Tool: Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) Description: Assesses the effect of headaches on daily life and function. | Baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, 1-month follow-up |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) | Measurement Tool: Pressure Algometer Description: Measures pericranial muscle tenderness. | Baseline and 4 weeks post-intervention |
| Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) | Measurement Tool: Goniometer / Digital Photogrammetry Description: Quantifies forward head posture; increased angle indicates improvement. |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deraya university, faculty of physical therapy | Minya | Menia Governorate | Egypt |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Johansson, A. M., Vikingsson, H., & Varkey, E. (2017). The physiotherapist, an untapped resource for headaches: A survey of university students. European Journal of Physiotherapy, 20(1), 45-50. DOI: 10.1080/21679169.2017.1352023 | ||
| 36901475 | Background | Repiso-Guardeno A, Moreno-Morales N, Armenta-Pendon MA, Rodriguez-Martinez MDC, Pino-Lozano R, Armenta-Peinado JA. Physical Therapy in Tension-Type Headache: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 2;20(5):4466. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054466. | |
| 35794530 |
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Fifty-two participants will be randomly assigned to two parallel groups. The experimental group will receive Kinesio Taping in addition to postural correction and SMI, while the control group will receive postural correction and SMI only. Both groups will undergo two sessions per week for four weeks.
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Participants will be blinded to the specific purpose of each intervention and will not be informed of group assignment. Training sessions will be scheduled separately to minimize awareness.
| Kinesio Taping Combined with Postural Correction and SMI | Other | Same as the control program with addition of Kinesio Taping to cervical and trapezius muscles. |
|
| Baseline and 4 weeks post-intervention |
| Background |
| Safiri S, Kolahi AA, Noori M, Nejadghaderi SA, Aslani A, Sullman MJM, Farhoudi M, Araj-Khodaei M, Collins GS, Kaufman JS, Gharagozli K. Burden of tension-type headache in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990-2019. J Headache Pain. 2022 Jul 6;23(1):77. doi: 10.1186/s10194-022-01445-5. |
| 26147739 | Background | Bendtsen L, Ashina S, Moore A, Steiner TJ. Muscles and their role in episodic tension-type headache: implications for treatment. Eur J Pain. 2016 Feb;20(2):166-75. doi: 10.1002/ejp.748. Epub 2015 Jul 6. |
| 23419626 | Background | Freitag F. Managing and treating tension-type headache. Med Clin North Am. 2013 Mar;97(2):281-92. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2012.12.003. Epub 2012 Dec 27. |
| 29368949 | Background | Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018 Jan;38(1):1-211. doi: 10.1177/0333102417738202. No abstract available. |
| 35410119 | Background | Stovner LJ, Hagen K, Linde M, Steiner TJ. The global prevalence of headache: an update, with analysis of the influences of methodological factors on prevalence estimates. J Headache Pain. 2022 Apr 12;23(1):34. doi: 10.1186/s10194-022-01402-2. |
| 26717946 | Background | de Tommaso M, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C. Tension Type Headache. Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2016;12(2):127-39. doi: 10.2174/1573397112666151231113625. |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D020773 | Headache Disorders |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001927 | Brain Diseases |
| D002493 | Central Nervous System Diseases |
| D009422 | Nervous System Diseases |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D016345 | Medicare Part B |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D006278 | Medicare |
| D008483 | Medical Assistance |
| D011632 | Public Assistance |
| D005380 | Financing, Government |
| D005381 | Financing, Organized |
| D004467 | Economics |
| D004472 | Health Care Economics and Organizations |
| D007348 | Insurance, Health |
| D007341 | Insurance |
| D007878 | Legislation as Topic |
| D012926 | Social Control, Formal |
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