This study is a within-subjects design; therefore, the participant will serve as their own control. Participants will be included in the study if they have neck pain or disability defined by a score of more than 14 on the Neck Disability Index. They will be excluded if they have any diagnosed disc pathology. A mask-associated pain questionnaire will be completed by the participants prior to the study to determine their perceived effect of mask-wearing on neck pain. This questionnaire is adapted from the HAPPE study on mask-associated headache pain. A baseline pain rating will be recorded a numerical pain scale. Next, active cervical range of motion will be measured, three times in each direction to be averaged. A pain rating will be recorded for pain during cervical motion. Kinesio® Tape will be applied to activate the cervical extensor muscles. The participant will sit with the tape on for 20 minutes, then active cervical range of motion and pain will be recored again.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
In order to increase the activity of underactive muscles, the tape is applied from origin to insertion with a 15-25% tension. The Kinesio® Tape mechanical muscle correction will be performed with one Y-strip of Kinesio® Tape over the bilateral cervical multifidus and semispinalis cervicis muscles, while also including portions of other cervical extensor muscles (the semispinalis capitis, splenius cervicis, levator scapulae, upper trapezius, longus coli, and splenius capitis).
North Dakota State University
Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Neck Disability Index
Patient-reported neck pain
Time frame: 1 day
Headaches Associated With Personal Protective Equipment
Mask associated pain questionnaire
Time frame: 1 day
Dartfish
2-dimensional motion analysis
Time frame: 20 minutes
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