An interventional study of Kinesiology Taping and Self-SNAG Mobilization in Neck Pain, sponsored by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-16.
Sponsored by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether kinesiology taping or self-mobilization better reduces neck pain in adults who use electronic devices for long periods each day. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Researchers will compare kinesiology taping with self-sustained natural apophyseal glide (self-SNAG) mobilization to see which approach is more effective.
Participants will:
Prolonged use of electronic devices is associated with sustained cervical flexion and altered activation of the cervicoscapular musculature, particularly the upper trapezius. Kinesiology taping and Mulligan self-mobilization are commonly used conservative approaches; however, their comparative effects on pain, cervical proprioception, respiratory muscle strength, and muscle activity in this population remain unclear.
In this single-blind, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, adults with neck pain (VAS > 3/10) and a history of electronic device use of at least 4 hours per day during the preceding year will be randomized to kinesiology taping (8 applications over 4 weeks) or self-SNAG mobilization performed with mirror-based visual feedback. Both groups will receive standardized education on posture and self-management.
Bilateral upper trapezius surface electromyography will be recorded during isometric shoulder elevation using a wireless sEMG system, with electrode placement according to SENIAM guidelines, and normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. A bilateral upper trapezius EMG asymmetry index will be derived from the normalized right- and left-side values.
Primary and secondary outcomes will be analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with random intercepts for participants. As a pre-specified secondary analysis, the association between baseline bilateral upper trapezius EMG asymmetry and change in pain intensity will be examined, including its interaction with treatment group.
1,259 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 256 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 27 is below the median of 52 across 1,026 interventional studies indexed under Neck Pain.
Browse Neck Pain studies →Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa is the lead sponsor of 693 studies on the registry; 213 are open to participants now.
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Participants receive kinesiology tape (5 cm wide, 0.5 mm thick, water-resistant) applied to the posterior cervical region in a seated neutral position. A Y-strip is applied over the cervical extensors from T1-T2 to C1-C2 with approximately 25% tension, and a second strip is applied perpendicularly across C3-C6. The tape is reapplied every 4 days by a trained physiotherapist for a total of 8 applications over 4 weeks. Participants also receive standardized education on posture and self-management.
Device: Kinesiology Taping
Participants are trained by an experienced physiotherapist to perform towel-assisted self-administered sustained natural apophyseal glide (self-SNAG) mobilization at the C5 level, with mirror-based visual feedback. The end-range rotation position is sustained for 3 seconds, with 10 repetitions per session within a pain-free range, \[frequency, e.g., once daily\] for 4 weeks. Participants also receive standardized education on posture and self-management.
Other: Self-SNAG Mobilization
Elastic therapeutic tape applied to the posterior cervical region (Y-strip over the cervical extensors with approximately 25% tension and a perpendicular strip across C3-C6), reapplied every 4 days for 8 applications over 4 weeks.
Towel-assisted self-administered sustained natural apophyseal glide at C5 with mirror-based visual feedback, 10 repetitions per session with 3-second end-range holds, performed over 4 weeks.
Change in Neck Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Neck pain intensity is assessed using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain.
Time frame: Baseline and week 4 (end of intervention)
Change in Neck-Related Disability (Neck Disability Index)
Self-reported neck-related disability is assessed using the 10-item Neck Disability Index (total score 0-50). Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Time frame: Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Change in Cervical Joint Position Sense Error
Cervical joint position sense error is measured in centimeters using a head-mounted laser pointer and a target placed 90 cm from the seated participant, following active cervical flexion, extension, and left and right rotation. The mean deviation across five repetitions per direction is recorded. Higher values indicate poorer proprioceptive accuracy.
Time frame: Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Change in Upper Trapezius Muscle Activity (Surface Electromyography)
Bilateral upper trapezius activity is recorded with wireless surface electromyography during isometric shoulder elevation (three 7-second contractions) and expressed as root-mean-square amplitude normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC).
Time frame: Baseline, week 4, and week 8
Bilateral Upper Trapezius EMG Asymmetry Index
EMG asymmetry is calculated from normalized right- and left-side upper trapezius activity as \|Right - Left\| / \[(Right + Left) / 2\] x 100. A value of 0% indicates perfect symmetry; higher values indicate greater bilateral imbalance. Baseline asymmetry will be examined as a predictor of change in pain intensity.
Time frame: Baseline, week 4, and week 8
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared publicly. De-identified data may be made available from the principal investigator upon reasonable request.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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