Abstract
Background: The interaction between cervical structures and autonomic nervous system activity has gained increasing attention in musculoskeletal research in recent years. Magnetic particle-containing tape (MPCT) has been proposed as a non-invasive cutaneous intervention potentially capable of modulating neurophysiological responses, although its mechanisms and effects remain poorly understood. This study examined the immediate physiological responses associated with MPCT application on autonomic function, cervical mobility, and deep neck flexor endurance in asymptomatic participants.
Methods: A quasi-experimental single-group pre-post study was conducted with 36 healthy participants. The outcomes included pupillary diameter assessed using automated pupillometry, cervical flexion-rotation test, and neuromuscular performance measured using the deep neck flexor endurance test. Following baseline assessment and a 20-minute rest period, MPCT was applied to the cervicothoracic region (C5-T4). Outcomes were assessed at two time points: baseline and immediately after tape application. Associations between baseline and post-intervention values were analyzed using generalized additive models to account for potential non-linear relationships.
Results: Increases were observed across most outcome measures following MPCT application, particularly in cervical mobility and pupillary diameter. However, the clinical relevance of these changes remains uncertain. Nonlinear analyses revealed that the changes were not uniform across participants but appeared to depend on the baseline values, with more pronounced responses in individuals with lower initial measurements. These findings suggest threshold-dependent response patterns and potential ceiling effects in the study.
Conclusions: MPCT application was temporally associated with immediate changes in autonomic function and cervical mobility, with variable effects on neuromuscular endurance. The observed responses were dependent on the baseline physiological status. Further studies are required to determine the clinical relevance and underlying mechanisms.