The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Cervical Proprioception Sense, Pain, Disability and Quality of Life in Patients With Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is the aging of the cervical spine as a result of degeneration of the intervertebral discs. In this process, shortening of the disc distance in the cervical spine, thickening of the ligaments, development of ligamentous and segmental instability, arthrosis and loss of lordosis in the facet joints are observed. Degenerative disc changes are often seen as bulging, protrusion, extrusion, and sequestration. Cervical discs are thicker anteriorly than posteriorly, resulting in normal lordosis. In the degenerative process, first of all, the height decreases in the anterior of the disc and loss of lordosis occurs. The process progresses with aging and causes axial neck pain and/or disc herniations due to degenerative changes, intraspinal canal and foraminal stenosis, secondary radiculopathy or myelopathy symptoms.

Although there is no complete consensus about the pathophysiological mechanism that causes cervical degenerative disc disease, several hypotheses have been developed. Although spondylosis is seen as a normal part of aging according to the current approach, certain occupations, repetitive movements and traumas can accelerate the process. Only a single factor has no chance to trigger the degenerative process. In other words, many factors of the normal aging process affect cervical spondylolysis. Although age-related degeneration is the primary cause, cervical disc injuries may affect this degenerative process in younger patients.

Degeneration in the cervical spine may only present with neck pain if there is no compression on the spinal cord or nerve root. This degeneration causes radicular pain in the occipital region, posterior neck, shoulder or arm due to inflammation due to extrinsic compression in the nerve root. Patients with cervical spondylosis usually present with complaints of pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the upper extremities, resulting in significant disability and functional limitations.

Proprioception is a sense of bodily movement position that includes a sense of joint position and a sense of movement (kinesthesia). Proprioceptive information reaches the central nervous system via the afferent pathway, which contributes to movement and postural neuromuscular control. The cervical muscles have an abundant muscle spindle density reflecting a rich proprioceptive system, which contributes to enhanced sensorimotor function and therefore plays an important role in maintaining effective motor control and static and dynamic postures.

Studies have shown that sense of cervical position is vital in maintaining joint stability under static and dynamic conditions, and impaired proprioception may predispose to the development of pain. Cervical proprioception is measured by joint position error in degrees. In cervical spondylosis, impaired cervical proprioception is the result of position sensitivity being affected primarily by impairment in the muscles, joints, or capsules and secondarily by changes in afferent proprioceptive adjustment and integration. Impaired position sense impairs both neuronal and muscular control of normal cervical joint function, resulting in unbalanced muscle strength and placing the joint at risk for trauma.