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OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of kinesiotaping (KT) in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain (NSNP) in terms of pain, disability, cervical range of motion (ROM), and cervical lordosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 2013 and March 2014, a total of 50 patients (10 males, 40 females; mean age 35.1±9.9 years; range, 17 to 62 years) with chronic NSNP were randomized into the KT (n=25) or the sham KT intervention (n=25) groups. Both groups were additionally given a therapeutic exercise (TE) program. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores and ROM measurements were recorded at baseline, at the end of treatment, and at one month. Lateral cervical digital radiographs were analyzed by the Cobb, posterior tangent and effective lordosis methods at baseline and at one month after the treatment. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in the VAS scores compared to baseline in the KT group. The NDI scores significantly decreased in both groups. The patients in the KT group experienced a significant increase in all planes of cervical ROM after the treatment. Cervical radiographs revealed a significant increase in the Cobb and posterior tangent angles only in the KT group. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that KT significantly improves VAS, NDI scores, ROM and cervical lordosis angles. The combination of TE and KT is useful in reducing pain and disability and improving ROM and cervical lordosis loss in patients with chronic NSNP.
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BACKGROUND: Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is an entrapment mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), in which conservative treatment options are not always sufficient. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided LFCN injection in the management of MP by comparing with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy and sham TENS therapy. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, sham-controlled study. SETTING: Health Sciences University Training and Research Hospital in Turkey. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with LFCN compression with clinical and electrophysiological findings were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (1) US-guided injection group, (2) TENS group, and (3) sham TENS group. The blockage of the LFCN was performed for therapeutic MP management in group 1. Ten sessions of conventional TENS were administered to each patient 5 days per week for 2 weeks, for 20 minutes per daily session in group 2, and sham TENS was applied to group 3 with the same protocol. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), painDETECT questionnaire, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (SWMt), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and health-related quality of life (36-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) at onset (T1), 15 days after treatment (T2), and 1 month after treatment (T3) were used for evaluation. Patients and the investigator who evaluated the results were blinded to the treatment protocol during the study period. RESULTS: A total of 54 of the 62 patients (group 1 n = 17, group 2 n = 16, group 3 n = 21) completed the study, 3 patients from group 1, 4 patients from group 2, and 1 patient from group 3 dropped out during the follow-up period. The mean changes in painDETECT and SWMt scores showed a statistically significant difference between groups in favor of group 1 at T2 and T3 compared with T1 (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of VAS, SF-36, and PSQI scores (P > 0.05). In-group analysis of VAS scores showed a statistically significant decrease in T2 and T3 compared with T1 in group 1 (P < 0.05). In-group analysis of the VAS scores statistically significant decrease was shown in T2 compared with T1 in group 2 (P < 0.05). In-group analysis of painDETECT scores statistically significant decrease was shown in T2 and T3 compared with T1 in all groups (P < 0.05). In-group analysis of SWMt scores statistically significant decrease was shown in T2 and T3 compared with T1 in group 1 (P < 0.05). In-group analysis of SF-36 and PSQI scores, there was no statistically significant decrease in all groups (P > 0.05). LIMITATIONS: The limitation of the study was a short follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: US-guided LFCN injection and TENS may be therapeutic options for MP treatment, however, for patients with neuropathic pain symptoms, US-guided LFCN injection may be a safe and alternative method to conservative treatment. KEY WORDS: Meralgia paresthetica, ultrasound-guided injection, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.