An interventional study of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and Kinesiology Taping in Mechanical Neck Pain, sponsored by Biruni University. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-10.
Sponsored by Biruni University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of the Graston Technique (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, IASTM) and kinesiology taping on pain intensity, cervical range of motion, and neck-related disability in university students with chronic mechanical neck pain.
A total of 60 students aged 18-25 years with mechanical neck pain lasting at least three months will participate in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: Graston Technique, kinesiology taping, or control, with 20 participants in each group.
The Graston group will receive instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization twice weekly for 12 weeks, while the kinesiology taping group will receive taping once weekly for 12 weeks. Both groups will also receive postural education and static stretching exercises. The control group will receive only postural education and static stretching exercises.
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), cervical range of motion using a universal goniometer, and neck-related disability using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). All outcomes will be assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 12.
The study aims to determine whether either intervention provides additional benefits beyond postural education and stretching exercises in managing chronic mechanical neck pain among university students.
**Background and Rationale**
Chronic mechanical neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition among university students, particularly those enrolled in health sciences programs. Prolonged studying, sustained cervical flexion, static postures, extensive use of digital devices, and academic stress may contribute to neck pain and associated functional limitations. Effective, accessible, and non-pharmacological treatment approaches are therefore important for managing neck pain in this population.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), including the Graston Technique, is a manual therapy approach that uses specially designed instruments to apply controlled mechanical stimulation to soft tissues. Previous studies suggest that IASTM may improve pain intensity, soft tissue mobility, cervical range of motion, and functional outcomes in individuals with mechanical neck pain.
Kinesiology taping is another non-invasive physiotherapy intervention commonly used to support musculoskeletal function and pain management. It may provide sensory feedback, improve movement awareness, and contribute to pain reduction and functional improvement.
Although both interventions have been investigated separately, evidence directly comparing their effects in university students with chronic mechanical neck pain remains limited.
**Study Objective**
The primary objective of this study is to compare the effects of the Graston Technique and kinesiology taping on pain intensity, cervical range of motion, and neck-related disability in university students with chronic mechanical neck pain.
**Study Design**
This study is designed as a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial involving 60 university students aged 18-25 years.
Eligible participants will have localized mechanical neck pain lasting at least three months and a baseline pain intensity of at least 3/10 on the Visual Analog Scale.
Participants will be randomly allocated to three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio using block randomization. The randomization sequence will be generated by an independent researcher who is not directly involved in delivering the interventions. Group assignments will be concealed in sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes until allocation.
**Interventions**
Group A: Graston Technique / IASTM
Participants will receive instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization twice weekly for 12 weeks. The treatment will target the cervical soft tissues, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae muscles bilaterally. Treatment will be performed using controlled sweeping techniques with tolerable pressure. Participants will also receive standardized postural education and static stretching exercises.
Group B: Kinesiology Taping
Participants will receive kinesiology taping once weekly for 12 weeks. The tape will be applied to the cervical region and associated muscles, including the upper trapezius and/or levator scapulae, according to the treatment protocol. The tape will remain in place for approximately 3-4 days following each application. Participants will also receive standardized postural education and static stretching exercises.
Group C: Control
Participants in the control group will receive standardized postural education and static stretching exercises without Graston Technique or kinesiology taping.
The exercise program provided to all three groups will include cervical retraction, chin-tuck exercises, scapular retraction, and static stretching of the cervical musculature.
**Outcome Assessments**
Clinical outcomes will include pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), cervical range of motion measured using a universal goniometer, and neck-related disability assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI).
All outcomes will be assessed at three time points:
The repeated assessments will allow examination of changes over time and comparisons of treatment effects among the three groups.
**Expected Contribution**
This study will provide comparative evidence regarding the effectiveness of two commonly used non-pharmacological physiotherapy interventions for chronic mechanical neck pain in university students. The findings may contribute to clinical decision-making and the development of accessible physiotherapy management strategies for this population.
1,360 studies on the registry are indexed under Neck Pain; 299 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 60 is above the median of 50 across 1,116 interventional studies indexed under Neck Pain.
Browse Neck Pain studies →Biruni University is the lead sponsor of 180 studies on the registry; 45 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants in this group will receive instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) twice weekly for 12 weeks (24 sessions). The intervention will be applied bilaterally to the cervical soft tissues, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae muscles using specially designed instruments and controlled sweeping techniques at a tolerable pressure. Participants will also receive standardized postural education and static stretching exercises, including cervical retraction, chin-tuck exercises, scapular retraction, and stretching of the cervical musculature. Clinical outcomes will be assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 12.
Procedure: Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) · Behavioral: Postural Education and Stretching Exercises
Participants in this group will receive kinesiology taping once weekly for 12 weeks (12 applications). The tape will be applied to the cervical region, upper trapezius, and/or levator scapulae muscles using appropriate tension to provide muscular and postural support. Each application will remain in place for 3 days. Participants will also receive standardized postural education and static stretching exercises, including cervical retraction, chin-tuck exercises, scapular retraction, and stretching of the cervical musculature. Clinical outcomes will be assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 12.
Procedure: Kinesiology Taping · Behavioral: Postural Education and Stretching Exercises
Participants in the control group will receive standardized postural education and static stretching exercises for 12 weeks without instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) or kinesiology taping. The exercise program will include cervical retraction, chin-tuck exercises, scapular retraction, and stretching of the cervical musculature. Exercises will be performed according to individual tolerance without increasing pain. Clinical outcomes will be assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 12.
Behavioral: Postural Education and Stretching Exercises
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) will be applied twice weekly for 12 weeks, totaling 24 sessions. The intervention will target the cervical soft tissues, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae muscles bilaterally. Participants will be positioned comfortably in a seated position with appropriate head and upper extremity support. Following skin preparation and application of a suitable lubricant, controlled sweeping techniques will be performed along the direction of muscle fibers using specially designed instruments at a tolerable pressure. Treatment intensity will be adjusted according to participant tolerance, and the procedure will be discontinued if adverse reactions occur.
Kinesiology taping will be applied once weekly for 12 weeks, totaling 12 applications. The intervention will target the cervical region, upper trapezius, and/or levator scapulae muscles. The tape will be applied using appropriate tension to provide muscular and postural support. Each application will remain in place for approximately 3-4 days. Before application, the skin will be examined for wounds, irritation, dermatological conditions, or adhesive allergies. Participants will be instructed to remove the tape and inform the researcher if itching, redness, burning, or discomfort occurs.
All participants will receive a standardized postural education and exercise program throughout the 12-week intervention period. Postural education will focus on maintaining appropriate cervical alignment and reducing prolonged static postures during academic activities and digital device use. The exercise program will include cervical retraction, chin-tuck exercises, scapular retraction, and static stretching of the cervical musculature. Exercises will be adjusted according to individual tolerance and performed without increasing pain. The same educational and exercise components will be provided to all three study groups.
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Neck pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity. Changes in VAS scores from baseline to weeks 6 and 12 will be evaluated to compare the effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), kinesiology taping, and control interventions. The primary comparison will be the change from baseline to week 12.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Neck-related disability will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), a 10-item questionnaire evaluating the impact of neck pain on daily activities. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater disability. Changes in NDI scores from baseline to weeks 6 and 12 will be evaluated to compare functional improvements among the three intervention groups.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)
Active cervical range of motion will be measured in degrees using a universal goniometer. Cervical flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, and right and left rotation will be assessed. Changes in cervical mobility from baseline to weeks 6 and 12 will be evaluated to compare improvements among the three intervention groups. Greater range of motion generally indicates improved cervical mobility. Time Frame:
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, and Week 12
Plan to share: No
Started Nov 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Feb 2027, 3 months after the start.
Of 763 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Neck Pain, half reached primary completion within 7 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 15. This study's planned 3 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 772 studies reached it within 7 months; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 15.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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 ↗
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