The effects of upper trapezius muscle kinesiotype combined with Swedish massage on neck pain disability index, neck range of motion, quality of life, deep neck muscle function index and forward head angle in women with chronic neck pain

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of upper trapezius muscle kinesiology taping combined with Swedish massage on the Neck Pain Disability Index, Neck Range of Motion, Quality of Life, Deep Neck Muscle Function Index, and Forward Head Angle in women with chronic neck pain.

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with parallel groups. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups using Excel software (RAND function): intervention group (kinesiotaping and Swedish massage) and control group (usual care or placebo). The sample size is set at 100 patients and the study will be conducted in phase 2.

This study was a randomized clinical trial conducted in the laboratory of the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Razi University, in a controlled environment using advanced equipment. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received a combination of upper trapezius kinesiotaping and Swedish massage for eight weeks. Data were collected before and after the intervention using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), goniometer, and SF-36 questionnaire.

Participant inclusion criteria included: Having chronic neck pain for at least 3 months. Age between 20 and 50 years. Not receiving physical or drug treatments affecting the neck in the past 6 weeks. Participant exclusion criteria included: History of surgery or serious injury to the neck. Having advanced neuromuscular or inflammatory diseases.

Intervention groups: 1. Kinesiotaping + Swedish massage group: 2. Control group: - Receive usual care or sham intervention (if applicable) without kinesiotaping or Swedish massage.

Neck Pain Disability Index, Neck Range of Motion, Quality of Life, Deep Neck Muscle Performance Index, and Forward Head Angle

For randomization in this study, a variable-size block method was used: first, with statistical software (such as SPSS), random sequences were generated in blocks of different sizes (e.g., 4 or 6), in which in each block, an equal number of participants were assigned to the “intervention” (receiving FA and Swedish massage) and “control” groups. These sequences were then sealed in opaque, numbered envelopes. After registering each participant, the researcher opened the corresponding envelope and identified the individual’s group. This method increased the scientific validity of the study by ensuring a balance of groups (even in the event of sample withdrawal), preventing the researcher from predicting allocation (reducing bias), and conducting it independently of the evaluation team, following CONSORT standards.

Participants will be kept unaware of their group assignment (intervention or control) by designing the content and structure of the interventions in both groups to be as similar as possible in terms of appearance, timing, and method of implementation. These similarities are intended to minimize the likelihood of participants identifying their group assignment and to prevent bias arising from their expectations. This approach helps enhance the validity of the study results and reduces potential biases.

All data will be recorded in SPSS and can be presented.

Access begins 9 months after the publication of all articles

Only available to researchers working in academic and scientific institutions.

All data can be used for citation.

Maryam Hosseini Maryamhosseini1996@gmail.com

The process of receiving documents or data files includes the steps of registering the request, reviewing and approving it, preparing the data, sending it, and following up. First, the requester completes the request form (15 to 30 minutes), then the request is reviewed by the study researchers and, if necessary, additional information is requested from the requester (1 to 3 business days). After approval, the data is prepared and its quality is checked (2 to 5 business days). The data is sent electronically or physically, with electronic sending taking place immediately and physical sending taking 2 to 7 business days. Finally, the study researchers respond to any questions within 1 to 2 business days. The overall time to receive data varies between 4 and 15 business days depending on the type of request and the method of submission.