A novel (targeted) kinesio taping application on chronic low back pain: Randomized clinical trial

Abstract

The aim of the present clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of kinesio taping on patients with chronic low back pain, when the exploration identifies skin/fascia mobilization as a factor that could modify the treatment effect. This study is a randomized controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis. Sixty-two participants with chronic low back pain were therefore recruited from a tertiary referral hospital. Targeted kinesio taping, according to skin/fascia mobility exploration, was applied in the experimental group (17 female/13 male; 49.47 ± 11.15 years) once a week for four sessions. The control group (17 female/14 male; 48.87 ± 9.09 years) underwent a placebo taping application. At post-treatment time there was a statistically significant reduction both in disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) and pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) in the experimental group (disability: −2.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] −4.56 to −1.21, P < .001; pain: −1.58, 95% CI −2.67 to −0.54 P = .001) and the control group (disability: −1.82, 95% CI −3.46 to −0.17 P = .025; pain: −1.30, 95% CI −2.32 to −0.28 P = .008). However, at six months, these changes only remained significant in the experimental group (disability: −2.95, 95% CI −4.72 to −1.18, P < .001; pain: −1.06, 95% CI −2.07 to −0.04, P < .05). As a conclusion, the application of targeted kinesio taping produced a significant reduction in pain and disability, at 4 weeks and at 6 moths follow-up, although there were no differences between groups at any measurement time point.

Observing treatment outcomes in other patients can elicit augmented placebo effects on pain treatment: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial with patients with chronic low back pain

“…To support this conclusion, a comparison with a natural history group would have been required. 44 Nevertheless, the significantly different courses of the groups' functional capacities indicate that the change cannot be attributed to the mere natural course of the CLBP. All the patients had been taking the medication for at least 4 months before the study and were thus accustomed to its effects.…”

Kinesiological Treatment of Early Spine Osteoarthritis in a Motorcyclist

“…Off-road motorcycling is considered a well-known sport, and because prevention is better than cure, the best support for these athletes could be the implementation of clinical joint examination in the limbs and spine instead of focusing primarily on the cardiorespiratory system [ 40 , 41 ]. Aware of the literature debate around Kinesio taping’s effect on musculoskeletal disorders [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ], we decided to utilize it as a support therapy in the pain management administered through antalgic therapy based on the evidence reported by many authors about the positive effect of Kinesio taping application in conjunction with exercises [ 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ], and its validity in the treatment and prevention of spine injuries [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. Nevertheless, for low back pain treatment, the kinesiological approach, i.e., exercise administration, is strongly suggested because it effectively generates improvements compared with manual therapy or conservative treatment [ 60 , 61 , 62 ].…”