A comparison of the effects of Mulligan's mobilization and Kinesio taping on pain, range of motion, muscle strength, and neck disability in patients with Cervical Spondylosis: A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND: Cervical Spondylosis (CS) is a degenerative and painful pathology, which needs conservative treatment to relieve symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the effects of Mulligan’s mobilization (MM) and Kinesio taping (KT) on pain, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, and function in CS. METHODS: Forty-five subjects were randomly placed into three groups: Group 1: control group (conventional rehabilitationCR); Group 2: MM and CR; Group 3: KT and CR. Assessments including neck pain, cervical ROM, muscle strength and Neck Disability index (NDI) were conducted at baseline, after three-week treatment, and at one-month follow up. Results were analyzed using ANCOVA. RESULTS: In all groups, pain and NDI scores reduced, cervical ROM and muscle strength increased with time ( p< 0.001). Greater improvements in neck extension, left and right rotation were obtained in the KT and MM groups when compared to the control group ( p< 0.05). In the KT group, improvement in right lateral flexion ROM was greater than the control and deep cervical flexor muscle strength was greater than the MM and the control groups ( p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: KT and MM contributed to CR for increasing cervical ROM and deep cervical flexor muscle strength in patients with CS.