Headache DisordersNCT07411820

Effect of Kinesio Taping Combined With Postural Correction on Improving Tension-Type Headache Among University Students

A study testing Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition and Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMI in people with Headache Disorders and Forward Head Posture, run by Deraya University at 1 site in Egypt.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record

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Trial summary

Who is it for?: Ages 18 to 25 years
Conditions the study is for: Headache Disorders, Forward Head Posture, Muscle Tension
What is being tested?: Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition and Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMI
Could I receive a placebo?: No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people: 52 participants
Where: 1 siteEgypt
Study dates: 10 Feb 2025to 1 Jul 2025
Phase: Interventional
Are there results?: None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

Ages 18 to 25 years
All sexes
No healthy volunteers
Adult

Who may be able to join

University students aged 18-25 years
Diagnosed with tension-type headache per ICHD-3 criteria
At least 10 headache episodes per month for >3 months
Pericranial muscle tenderness (suboccipital, temporalis, upper trapezius)
Craniovertebral angle < 50°

Who cannot join

Migraine or cluster headaches
Recent neck trauma or surgery
Skin allergy or sensitivity to tape
Current use of medications affecting pain perception Cervical radiculopathy or neurological deficits

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Egypt1 site

Deraya university, faculty of physical therapy
Minya, Menia Governorate

Other trials in Egypt

About this study

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining Kinesio Taping (KT) with postural correction exercises and suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI) in managing tension-type headaches (TTH) among university students. The intervention's impact on headache intensity, frequency, and functional limitations will be compared with a control group performing postural correction and SMI alone.

Read the detailed description

Tension-type headache (TTH) is a common primary headache associated with muscular tension, poor posture, and psychological stress. Physiotherapy interventions including deep neck flexor exercises, suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI), and postural education have been shown to reduce pain and improve posture.

Kinesio Taping (KT) has been proposed as an adjunct that enhances proprioception, reduces muscle tension, and supports cervical alignment.

This randomized controlled trial will recruit 52 university students aged 18-25 years diagnosed with frequent episodic TTH according to ICHD-3 criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups:

Group A (Control): Postural correction + SMI Group B (Experimental): Kinesio Taping + Postural correction + SMI

Both groups will receive two treatment sessions per week for 4 weeks.

Assessments will be performed at baseline, after 4 weeks of treatment, and at a 1-month follow-up using validated measures for pain, frequency, and posture.

Conditions: Headache Disorders, Forward Head Posture, Muscle Tension
Being tested: Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition, Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMI
Medical subject headings: Headache Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle InhibitionOther
Deep neck flexor exercises, suboccipital muscle inhibition, and ergonomic education performed twice weekly for four weeks.
Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMIOther
Same as the control program with addition of Kinesio Taping to cervical and trapezius muscles.

Study groups in NCT07411820
Study group	Role	What they receive
Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition	Active comparator	Participants will receive a postural correction program consisting of: Deep neck flexor strengthening exercises (chin tucks, progressive resistance) Suboccipital muscle inhibition (manual pressure to release muscle tension) Ergonomic and postural education for studying and daily activities Two sessions per week for 4 weeks. Receives: Other: Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition
Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMI	Experimental	Participants will receive the same postural correction program as the control group with the addition of Kinesio Taping: Kinesio Tape applied to cervical spine and upper trapezius to enhance proprioception and reduce strain. Two sessions per week for 4 weeks. Receives: Other: Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMI

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

Headache Intensity
Measurement Tool: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) / Numeric Pain Rating Scale Self-reported headache pain intensity (0-10 scale).
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, 1-month follow-up
Headache Frequency
Measurement Tool: Headache Diary Number of headache days per month recorded by participants.
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, 1-month follow-up
Headache Impact
Measurement Tool: Headache Impact Test (HIT-6)
Description: Assesses the effect of headaches on daily life and function.
Measured: Baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, 1-month follow-up

Secondary outcomes (2)

Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Measurement Tool: Pressure Algometer Description: Measures pericranial muscle tenderness.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks post-intervention
Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)
Measurement Tool: Goniometer / Digital Photogrammetry
Description: Quantifies forward head posture; increased angle indicates improvement.
Measured: Baseline and 4 weeks post-intervention

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

10 Feb 20251 Jul 2025

First posted17 Feb 2026
Study start10 Feb 2025
Primary completion10 May 2025
Study completion1 Jul 2025

Resources

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
Publications (8)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
Other trials for Headache DisordersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design

Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase N/A
Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Model description: Fifty-two participants will be randomly assigned to two parallel groups. The experimental group will receive Kinesio Taping in addition to postural correction and SMI, while the control group will receive postural correction and SMI only. Both groups will undergo two sessions per week for four weeks.
Masking: Single blind
Who is masked: Participant
Enrolment: 52 participants (actual)

IDs, dates and publications

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07411820
Sponsor's protocol ID: DU-PT-KT-TTH-001
Status last verified: Aug 2026
First submitted: 9 Feb 2026
Last updated: 28 Aug 2026
Results posted: No
Data monitoring committee: No
FDA-regulated drug: No
FDA-regulated device: No
Individual data sharing: No

Publications

Johansson, A. M., Vikingsson, H., & Varkey, E. (2017). The physiotherapist, an untapped resource for headaches: A survey of university students. European Journal of Physiotherapy, 20(1), 45-50. DOI: 10.1080/21679169.2017.1352023
Repiso-Guardeno A, Moreno-Morales N, Armenta-Pendon MA, Rodriguez-Martinez MDC, Pino-Lozano R, Armenta-Peinado JA. Physical Therapy in Tension-Type Headache: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 2;20(5):4466. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054466.
PubMed 36901475
Safiri S, Kolahi AA, Noori M, Nejadghaderi SA, Aslani A, Sullman MJM, Farhoudi M, Araj-Khodaei M, Collins GS, Kaufman JS, Gharagozli K. Burden of tension-type headache in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990-2019. J Headache Pain. 2022 Jul 6;23(1):77. doi: 10.1186/s10194-022-01445-5.
PubMed 35794530
Bendtsen L, Ashina S, Moore A, Steiner TJ. Muscles and their role in episodic tension-type headache: implications for treatment. Eur J Pain. 2016 Feb;20(2):166-75. doi: 10.1002/ejp.748. Epub 2015 Jul 6.
PubMed 26147739
Freitag F. Managing and treating tension-type headache. Med Clin North Am. 2013 Mar;97(2):281-92. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2012.12.003. Epub 2012 Dec 27.
PubMed 23419626
Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018 Jan;38(1):1-211. doi: 10.1177/0333102417738202. No abstract available.
PubMed 29368949
Stovner LJ, Hagen K, Linde M, Steiner TJ. The global prevalence of headache: an update, with analysis of the influences of methodological factors on prevalence estimates. J Headache Pain. 2022 Apr 12;23(1):34. doi: 10.1186/s10194-022-01402-2.
PubMed 35410119
de Tommaso M, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C. Tension Type Headache. Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2016;12(2):127-39. doi: 10.2174/1573397112666151231113625.
PubMed 26717946

Want to know more?

The sponsor has not listed a contact. The official record may have more details.

Talk to your doctor first and take this page with you. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

Questions to ask the study team

What is the study trying to find out?
What would I need to do, and how often would I visit?
Could I receive a placebo instead of the treatment?
What are the possible risks and benefits for me?
Will it cost me anything? Are travel or time paid for?
Can I keep seeing my own doctor during the study?
What happens when the study ends?

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All Headache Disorders trials

Study at a glance

From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.

Official title: Effect of Kinesio Taping Combined With Postural Correction on Improving Tension-Type Headache Among University Students
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07411820
Acronym / sponsor ID: DU-PT-KT-TTH-001
Conditions: Headache Disorders, Forward Head Posture, Muscle Tension
Study type: Interventional
Recruitment status: Completed
Enrolment: 52 participants (actual)
Lead sponsor: Deraya UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
Study start: 10 Feb 2025 (actual)
Primary completion: 10 May 2025 (actual)
Study completion: 1 Jul 2025 (actual)
First posted: 17 Feb 2026 (actual)
Results: Not posted in the source record

Clinical summary

The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.

Detailed description

Kinesio Taping (KT) has been proposed as an adjunct that enhances proprioception, reduces muscle tension, and supports cervical alignment.

Group A (Control): Postural correction + SMI Group B (Experimental): Kinesio Taping + Postural correction + SMI

Both groups will receive two treatment sessions per week for 4 weeks.

Assessments will be performed at baseline, after 4 weeks of treatment, and at a 1-month follow-up using validated measures for pain, frequency, and posture.

Study design

Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Masking: Single blind (participant)
Number of arms: 2
Model description: Fifty-two participants will be randomly assigned to two parallel groups. The experimental group will receive Kinesio Taping in addition to postural correction and SMI, while the control group will receive postural correction and SMI only. Both groups will undergo two sessions per week for four weeks.

Arm	Type	Receives
Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition	Active comparator	Other: Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle InhibitionParticipants will receive a postural correction program consisting of: Deep neck flexor strengthening exercises (chin tucks, progressive resistance) Suboccipital muscle inhibition (manual pressure to release muscle tension) Ergonomic and postural education for studying and daily activities Two sessions per week for 4 weeks.
Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMI	Experimental	Other: Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMIParticipants will receive the same postural correction program as the control group with the addition of Kinesio Taping: Kinesio Tape applied to cervical spine and upper trapezius to enhance proprioception and reduce strain. Two sessions per week for 4 weeks.

Who may qualify

Ages: 18 to 25 years
Sex: All
Healthy volunteers: Not accepted
Age groups: Adult

Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)

University students aged 18-25 years
Diagnosed with tension-type headache per ICHD-3 criteria
At least 10 headache episodes per month for >3 months
Pericranial muscle tenderness (suboccipital, temporalis, upper trapezius)
Craniovertebral angle < 50°

Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)

Migraine or cluster headaches
Recent neck trauma or surgery
Skin allergy or sensitivity to tape
Current use of medications affecting pain perception Cervical radiculopathy or neurological deficits

Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Interventions

Intervention	Type	Arms
Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle InhibitionDeep neck flexor exercises, suboccipital muscle inhibition, and ergonomic education performed twice weekly for four weeks.	Other	Postural Correction and Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition
Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMISame as the control program with addition of Kinesio Taping to cervical and trapezius muscles.	Other	Kinesio Taping + Postural Correction and SMI

Primary outcome

Headache Intensity
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, 1-month follow-up
Measurement Tool: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) / Numeric Pain Rating Scale Self-reported headache pain intensity (0-10 scale).
Headache Frequency
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, 1-month follow-up
Measurement Tool: Headache Diary Number of headache days per month recorded by participants.
Headache Impact
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, 1-month follow-up
Measurement Tool: Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) Description: Assesses the effect of headaches on daily life and function.

2 secondary outcomes

Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks post-intervention
Craniovertebral Angle (CVA)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks post-intervention

Results and safety

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

Research links

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Aug 2026.
BackgroundJohansson, A. M., Vikingsson, H., & Varkey, E. (2017). The physiotherapist, an untapped resource for headaches: A survey of university students. European Journal of Physiotherapy, 20(1), 45-50. DOI: 10.1080/21679169.2017.1352023
Background: PubMed 36901475Repiso-Guardeno A, Moreno-Morales N, Armenta-Pendon MA, Rodriguez-Martinez MDC, Pino-Lozano R, Armenta-Peinado JA. Physical Therapy in Tension-Type Headache: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 2;20(5):4466. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054466.
Background: PubMed 35794530Safiri S, Kolahi AA, Noori M, Nejadghaderi SA, Aslani A, Sullman MJM, Farhoudi M, Araj-Khodaei M, Collins GS, Kaufman JS, Gharagozli K. Burden of tension-type headache in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990-2019. J Headache Pain. 2022 Jul 6;23(1):77. doi: 10.1186/s10194-022-01445-5.
Background: PubMed 26147739Bendtsen L, Ashina S, Moore A, Steiner TJ. Muscles and their role in episodic tension-type headache: implications for treatment. Eur J Pain. 2016 Feb;20(2):166-75. doi: 10.1002/ejp.748. Epub 2015 Jul 6.
Background: PubMed 23419626Freitag F. Managing and treating tension-type headache. Med Clin North Am. 2013 Mar;97(2):281-92. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2012.12.003. Epub 2012 Dec 27.
Background: PubMed 29368949Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018 Jan;38(1):1-211. doi: 10.1177/0333102417738202. No abstract available.
Background: PubMed 35410119Stovner LJ, Hagen K, Linde M, Steiner TJ. The global prevalence of headache: an update, with analysis of the influences of methodological factors on prevalence estimates. J Headache Pain. 2022 Apr 12;23(1):34. doi: 10.1186/s10194-022-01402-2.
Background: PubMed 26717946de Tommaso M, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C. Tension Type Headache. Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2016;12(2):127-39. doi: 10.2174/1573397112666151231113625.
Individual participant dataSharing planned: No

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Referral and contact

AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.

The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.

1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Headache Intensity (time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks post-intervention, 1-month follow-up). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07411820, which also lists 8 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Aug 2026.