Effectiveness of Elastic Taping Compared to Sham Taping on Upper Trapezius Muscle Elasticity in Patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome
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Published:
Dec 24, 2025
Keywords:
myofascial pain syndrome, upper trapezius, elastic taping, shear wave elastography, pain pressure threshold
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: Elastic taping (ET) is believed to improve muscle elasticity in patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS); however, studies employing objective measurements of muscle elasticity remain scarce. This study aims to provide empirical evidence demonstrating that ET can objectively improve muscle elasticity.
Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial investigated the efficacy of ET versus sham taping on upper trapezius muscle elasticity and pain pressure threshold (PPT) in patients with MPS. Participants were assigned to ET using the inhibition technique or sham taping without stretch. Shear wave elastography (SWE) and PPT were measured pre-intervention, 20 minutes, and 24 hours post-intervention.
Results: The ET group demonstrated significant improvements in muscle elasticity (reduced SWE) and increased PPT at both 20 minutes and 24 hours (p<0.05). The sham group showed non-significant changes at 20 minutes (p=0,122) and partial improvement at 24 hours(p=0,019). Between-group comparisons revealed statistically significant differences at both post-intervention time points (p<0.05).
Conclusion: ET proved effective as an adjunct to stretching, eliciting immediate and sustained benefits, and represents a non-invasive, easily applicable modality with potential for wide clinical use in upper trapezius MPS.
Keywords: myofascial pain syndrome, upper trapezius, elastic taping, shear wave elastography, pain pressure threshold
Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial investigated the efficacy of ET versus sham taping on upper trapezius muscle elasticity and pain pressure threshold (PPT) in patients with MPS. Participants were assigned to ET using the inhibition technique or sham taping without stretch. Shear wave elastography (SWE) and PPT were measured pre-intervention, 20 minutes, and 24 hours post-intervention.
Results: The ET group demonstrated significant improvements in muscle elasticity (reduced SWE) and increased PPT at both 20 minutes and 24 hours (p<0.05). The sham group showed non-significant changes at 20 minutes (p=0,122) and partial improvement at 24 hours(p=0,019). Between-group comparisons revealed statistically significant differences at both post-intervention time points (p<0.05).
Conclusion: ET proved effective as an adjunct to stretching, eliciting immediate and sustained benefits, and represents a non-invasive, easily applicable modality with potential for wide clinical use in upper trapezius MPS.
Keywords: myofascial pain syndrome, upper trapezius, elastic taping, shear wave elastography, pain pressure threshold
Article Details
How to Cite
Clarissa, C., Anestherita, F., Agung, I., & Agustina, A. (2025). Effectiveness of Elastic Taping Compared to Sham Taping on Upper Trapezius Muscle Elasticity in Patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Indonesian Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 14(2), 226 - 231. https://doi.org/10.36803/indojpmr.v14i2.522
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Original Article
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References
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10. Kase K, Wallis J, Kase T. Clinical therapeutic applications of the Kinesio Taping method. 3rd ed. Tokyo: Ken Ikai Co.; 2017.
11. Bagheri R, et al. Effects of elastic taping on pain and muscle performance: a meta-analysis. J Sport Rehabil. 2022;31(6):878–88.
12. Lemos TV, Valença MM. Kinesio taping and pain control: a systematic review. Physiother Theory Pract. 2020;36(5):623–38.
13. Mirbolook A, et al. The effect of Kinesio taping on the elasticity of upper trapezius muscle in patients with MPS. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2018;22(3):681–7.
14. Schleip R. Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 1. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2003;7(1):11–9.
15. Schleip R. Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 2. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2004;8(1):11–9.
16. Hao J, et al. Shear wave elastography findings in myofascial trigger points. Clin Biomech. 2017;50:114–20.
17. Kulcu DG, et al. Age distribution of MPS in clinical populations. Pain Med. 2017;18(2):332–9.
18. Vita M, et al. Sex-related differences in fascial nociceptor sensitivity. Eur J Pain. 2019;23(6):1047–55.
19. Bagheri R, et al. Mechanical properties of myofascial tissues following taping interventions. Clin Biomech. 2018;57:110–6.
20. Shah JP, Gilliams E. Uncovering the physiology of MTrPs: an update. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(10):57.
2. Simons DG, Travell JG, Simons LS. Travell & Simons’ myofascial pain and dysfunction: the trigger point manual. 3rd ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 2019.
3. Gennisson J-L, Deffieux T, Fink M, Tanter M. Ultrasound elastography: principles and techniques. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2013;94(5):487–95.
4. Hoyle JA, Marras WS. The burden of myofascial pain syndrome in working populations: a systematic review. Work. 2015;52(2):367–78.
5. Turo D, Otto P, Shah JP. Quantitative ultrasound imaging of muscle tissue properties in myofascial pain syndrome. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013;94(1):114–20.
6. Barr AE, Barbe MF. Pathophysiological tissue changes associated with repetitive movement: a review of the evidence. Phys Ther. 2020;100(11):2120–8.
7. Dewall RJ. Elastography and muscle viscoelasticity: a technical review. J Med Ultrasound. 2013;21(1):1–12.
8. Urits I, Charipova K, Gress K, Orhurhu V, Kaye AD, Viswanath O. Treatment and diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome: best practices. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(7):36.
9. Gerwin RD. Diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome: criteria, reliability, and validity. Pain Med. 2018;19(1):62–71.
10. Kase K, Wallis J, Kase T. Clinical therapeutic applications of the Kinesio Taping method. 3rd ed. Tokyo: Ken Ikai Co.; 2017.
11. Bagheri R, et al. Effects of elastic taping on pain and muscle performance: a meta-analysis. J Sport Rehabil. 2022;31(6):878–88.
12. Lemos TV, Valença MM. Kinesio taping and pain control: a systematic review. Physiother Theory Pract. 2020;36(5):623–38.
13. Mirbolook A, et al. The effect of Kinesio taping on the elasticity of upper trapezius muscle in patients with MPS. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2018;22(3):681–7.
14. Schleip R. Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 1. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2003;7(1):11–9.
15. Schleip R. Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 2. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2004;8(1):11–9.
16. Hao J, et al. Shear wave elastography findings in myofascial trigger points. Clin Biomech. 2017;50:114–20.
17. Kulcu DG, et al. Age distribution of MPS in clinical populations. Pain Med. 2017;18(2):332–9.
18. Vita M, et al. Sex-related differences in fascial nociceptor sensitivity. Eur J Pain. 2019;23(6):1047–55.
19. Bagheri R, et al. Mechanical properties of myofascial tissues following taping interventions. Clin Biomech. 2018;57:110–6.
20. Shah JP, Gilliams E. Uncovering the physiology of MTrPs: an update. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2020;24(10):57.