ACUTE EFFECT OF KINESIOLOGICAL TAPE ON PAIN AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE IN NECK PAIN DUE TO SMART PHONE ADDICTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of inhibitory kinesiologic tape application to the upper trapezius muscle and sham tape application on neck pain and muscle tone in individuals with smartphone addiction. The study was carried out with 42 healthy individuals. Individuals were divided into 2 groups as kinesiology tape group (KTG) and sham group (SG). Smartphone addiction was questioned with the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS). Pain severity was evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Myotonometer was used to evaluate the mechanical properties of upper Trapezius muscle (UTM). There was no significant difference in pain and muscle mechanical properties between the groups (p>0.05). After the treatment, the tone and stiffness of the left trapezius muscle were found to be statistically significantly higher in the KTG compared to the right (p