Abstract

The purpose of the present work was to compare the efficacy of trigger point-focused ultrasound therapy and kinesio taping in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. Forty-five patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome were enrolled and divided into three groups by simple randomization. The first group received ultrasound on trigger points, the second group underwent kinesio taping, and the third group received placebo ultrasound therapy. In addition to these applications, conventional treatment (Hotpack, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) was applied to all groups. All applications were performed in 15 sessions, five days a week, over three weeks. Cervical range of motion, pain status, pressure pain threshold, and functional status/disability were evaluated before and following the treatments by a standard goniometer, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), algometer, and Neck Disability Index, respectively. VAS values decreased and algometer values increased in all groups following the treatment (p0.05), while the ultrasound group values were higher in comparison with the kinesio taping group (p

Key words: Myofascial pain syndrome, static ultrasound, pain, kinesio tape