Immediate effects of posture correction taping on pain, cervical range of motion, and scapulothoracic muscle activity in individuals with forward head posture and mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial in India.

Study design: Randomized controlled study.

Purpose: To investigate the immediate effect of posture correction taping on neck pain, neck range of motion (ROM), and scapulothoracic muscle activity in individuals with forward head posture (FHP) and mechanical neck pain (MNP).

Overview of literature: MNP is a common complaint among individuals with FHP. Poor posture is a major contributing factor to MNP. Taping is a treatment technique used to correct FHP with MNP, but its effectiveness in reducing neck pain, improving ROM, and altering muscle activity requires further investigation.

Methods: Forty-two patients with FHP and MNP were randomly assigned to either a taping group or a control group. Both groups received common treatments including mobilization of the hypomobile joints of cervicothoracic spine and ribcage joints, stretching of shortened muscles of the upper back and neck, and stabilization exercises for neck and scapular muscles. The taping group received additional posture correction taping. Pain intensity and neck ROM were assessed at baseline and 48 hours after the first treatment session. Electromyogram (EMG) activity of the scapulothoracic muscles was recorded before and immediately after taping.

Results: Both groups reported reduced pain intensity after 48 hours of intervention, with significantly lower pain intensity in the taping group. The taping group also demonstrated significant improvement in extension ROM compared with the baseline. There was no significant change in other neck ROM and no between-group difference in ROM 48 hours after intervention. EMG activity revealed reduced upper trapezius activity and increased middle trapezius and serratus anterior activity immediately after taping.

Conclusions: Posture correction taping may help reduce pain intensity, improve ROM, and alter scapulothoracic muscle activity in individuals with MNP and FHP. These results may be of interest for the development of posture correction interventions for this population.