Riassunto dello studio

Ninety patients with degenerative cervical spine conditions after posterior surgery were randomized to conventional rehabilitation (CR) + Kinesio Taping (KT) (n=30), CR (n=30), or KT alone (n=30). The primary outcome was pain (VAS; chosen for power calculations); secondary outcomes included pressure-pain threshold (PPT), cervical ROM, Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD), Upper Extremity Functional Index-15 (UEFI-15), and SF-36 (physical and emotional components). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, postoperative day 1 and day 3, and at 2-week follow-up. Overall, the results showed larger and earlier improvements with CR+KT for pain (VAS) and PPT, with sustained benefits through 2 weeks; disability (NPAD) also favored CR+KT, while functional gains (UEFI-15 and ROM) were similar between CR+KT and CR and superior to KT alone. Thus, adding KT to CR enhanced short-term pain, PPT, disability, and emotional QoL, but did not meaningfully augment functional recovery beyond CR alone.