TheEffectofStabilizationExercisesCombinedwithTapingTherapyonPainandFunctionofPatientswithMyofascialPainSyndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by local tenderness, taut bands, and trigger points that cause chronic pain. In South Korea, musculoskeletal disorders have been increasing, with MPS accounting for a significant portion of these cases. The upper trapezius muscle is frequently affected, particularly in people who perform sedentary work. While various treatments exist—including injections, dry needling, laser therapy, and exercise—there is limited research comparing stabilization exercises alone versus combining taping with stabilization exercises for MPS of the upper trapezius.

This study aimed to determine whether applying taping before stabilization exercises provides greater benefits than stabilization exercises alone.

The researchers recruited 32 patients diagnosed with MPS in the trapezius muscle who met at least three of Simons' four essential diagnostic criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A (stabilization exercise only, n=16) or Group B (taping applied before stabilization exercises, n=16). Both groups received treatment twice weekly for four weeks, totaling eight sessions. Stabilization exercises targeted scapular muscles and the shoulder girdle using isometric contractions with a 1:3 duty cycle (10 seconds of exercise, 30 seconds of rest), three sets of 10 repetitions, with 3 minutes rest between sets.

Taping involved applying non-elastic tape from the medial clavicle to the twelfth thoracic vertebra to maintain scapular retraction and depression; tape was removed immediately after exercises. Outcomes were measured before and after treatment using: (1) visual analog scale (VAS, 0-100mm) for pain intensity; (2) pressure pain threshold (PPT) at trigger points using a pressure algometer; and (3) the Constant-Murley Scale (CMS) for shoulder function, which assesses pain, range of motion, activities of daily living, and muscle power.

Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in VAS and PPT after treatment (p<0.05). In Group A, VAS decreased from 7.06 ± 1.12 to 4.75 ± 1.69, and PPT increased from 30.00 ± 9.89 to 32.94 ± 8.89. In Group B, VAS decreased from 7.31 ± 0.87 to 4.88 ± 1.36, and PPT increased from 32.21 ± 8.60 to 36.26 ± 8.83. However, direct comparison of VAS and PPT changes between groups showed no significant differences.

For CMS, Group A showed significant improvements in all items except activities of daily living (p<0.05), while Group B showed significant improvements in all items including activities of daily living (p<0.05). When comparing the two groups directly, significant differences were found for pain and activities of daily living (p<0.05), with Group B showing greater improvements. Specifically, pain improvement was -3.75 ± 2.24 in Group A versus -6.25 ± 3.42 in Group B, and activities of daily living improvement was -0.50 ± 1.26 in Group A versus -1.50 ± 1.41 in Group B.

This study suggests that adding taping therapy before stabilization exercises enhances pain relief and improves ability to perform daily activities compared to stabilization exercises alone for patients with MPS in the upper trapezius. The taping likely helps normalize muscle tone, reduce spasm, and stimulate proprioception, which may enhance the effects of subsequent exercises. For clinicians, this supports a combined approach: applying taping to facilitate proper scapular positioning before engaging patients in stabilization exercises. However, the study had a small sample size (16 per group) and a relatively short follow-up period (4 weeks), so longer-term benefits remain uncertain.

Patients with MPS may benefit from asking their physical therapist about combining taping with exercise therapy, particularly if they struggle with pain during daily activities.