Evaluati̇on of the effecti̇veness of ki̇nesi̇o tapi̇ng and conventi̇onal physi̇cal therapy modali̇ti̇es on the pai̇n and functi̇onal status of pati̇ents wi̇th spondyloarthri̇ti̇s who have neck pai̇n

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this thesis is to compare the effectiveness of exercise, kinesio taping (KT) and conventional physical therapy (PT) modalities on the pain and functional status of patients with spondyloarthropathy (SpA) who have neck pain. METHODS Patients with spondyloarthropathy aged between 18-65 years followed by Bezmialem Vakif University Medical Faculty Hospital who have inflammatory neck pain were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were as follows: patients whose medical treatments were changed within the last three months, patients who experienced current symptoms compatible with cervical disc herniation, history of cervical spine trauma or surgery, malignancy, systemic infection, carrying a mental health related diagnosis, infected or injured treatment area, allergic reaction to KT band. Patients were randomized into 3 groups, and the first group was assigned to only home exercise program. The second group was assigned to fifteen sessions of conventional physical therapy (PT) modalities for three weeks in addition to home exercise program. The third group was assigned to kinesiotaping replaced twice weekly for 3 weeks in addition to home exercise program. All three groups were assesed before treatment and reassessed at 3 weeks and 3 months after treatment by using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD), Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale (CNFDS), Health Assessment Questionnaire for Spondyloarthropathies (HAQ-S), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) and measuring the cervical range of motion (ROM) by goniometer. RESULTS 43 patients were included in the study (exercise group: 14, Conventional PT group: 14, KT group: 15). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups when the demographic characteristics of the patients included the study were compared. No significant difference was detected in intra-group evaluations of the exercise only group. In the intergroup comparison, significant increase was detected in the neck extansion and right rotation at third month control compared with the conventional PT group. No significant difference was detected in intra-group evaluations at the KT group. In intergroup comparison, decrease was detected in VAS pain score values at third week control compared with the exercise group. Significant decreases in BASFI and VAS scores were detected in intra-group evaluations of conventional PT group at third week assessment compared to pre-treatment assessment. In intergroup comparison,significant decrease was detected in VAS pain, BASDAI and BASFI scores at the third week assessment compared with the exercise group. CONCLUSION Exercise programs that are applied for the treatment of neck pain and limited range of motion in patients with spondyloarthropathy were found to be beneficial for increased range of motion although it is not statistically significant. Kinesio taping that is applied along with the exercise program is beneficial for reducing the pain. When conventional PT methods and exercise programs were applied together, improvement was shown in pain and functional status. Nonpharmacological methods may be good alternative treatments for SpA patients with neck problems.