NCT07411820

Effect of Kinesio Taping Combined With Postural Correction on Improving Tension-Type Headache Among University Students

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 52 (actual)
• Sponsor: Deraya University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 25 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining Kinesio Taping (KT) with postural correction exercises and suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI) in managing tension-type headaches (TTH) among university students. The intervention's impact on headache intensity, frequency, and functional limitations will be compared with a control group performing postural correction and SMI alone.

Detailed description

Tension-type headache (TTH) is a common primary headache associated with muscular tension, poor posture, and psychological stress. Physiotherapy interventions including deep neck flexor exercises, suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI), and postural education have been shown to reduce pain and improve posture. Kinesio Taping (KT) has been proposed as an adjunct that enhances proprioception, reduces muscle tension, and supports cervical alignment. This randomized controlled trial will recruit 52 university students aged 18-25 years diagnosed with frequent episodic TTH according to ICHD-3 criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (Control): Postural correction + SMI Group B (Experimental): Kinesio Taping + Postural correction + SMI Both groups will receive two treatment sessions per week for 4 weeks. Assessments will be performed at baseline, after 4 weeks of treatment, and at a 1-month follow-up using validated measures for pain, frequency, and posture.

Conditions

• Headache Disorders
• Forward Head Posture
• Muscle Tension

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Postural Correction and SMI Program	Deep neck flexor exercises, suboccipital muscle inhibition, and ergonomic education performed twice weekly for four weeks.
OTHER	Kinesio Taping Combined with Postural Correction and SMI	Same as the control program with addition of Kinesio Taping to cervical and trapezius muscles.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-02-10
• Primary completion: 2025-05-10
• Completion: 2025-07-01
• First posted: 2026-02-17
• Last updated: 2026-02-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt