gms | German Medical Science

Background: There is no spesific treatment that can cure somatosensory tinnitus and usually conservative physical therapy modalities are used in the literature [1], [2]. Kinesio-taping (KT) is a safe and easy treatment method. Therefore, KT can be used as an alternative treatment method for patients with somatosensory tinnitus associated with neck complaints.

Aim: To investigate the effect of KT applied to sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezium and levator scapulae muscles on the somatosensory tinnitus associated with neck complaints.

Method: The study was designed as a prospective, randomized-controlled trial. In total, 30 patients were completed the study who were randomized into either the Kinesio-taping (KT) group (n=15) or the Shame-taping (ST) group (n=15). The Kinesio-tape was applied to sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezium and levator scapulae by the muscle inhibition technique for experimental group. For the ST group, a placebo-taping method considered to be ineffective was used. Banding application performed for both groups once-a-week for four-weeks. Tinnitus handicap index (THI), tinnitus-VAS, cervical pain-VAS, Neck Disability index (NDI) was evaluated in all subjects before and four-weeks after taping period.

Results/findings: Tinnitus-VAS, THI, cervical-VAS and NDI improved significantly in KT group after intervention (all P ≤ 0.001). In the ST group, no significant differences in the outcome measures were found at 4th week compared with baseline (P =0.108, P=0.282, P=0.120 and P=1.00, respectively).

Discussion and conclusions: This study shows that 4-weeks KT application to sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezium and levator scapulae muscles can be useful in treatment of somatosensory tinnitus associated with neck complaints.