Comparison between Kinesio Taping and a Traditional Physical Therapy Program in Treatment of Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Abstract

[Purpose] Nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is a very common but largely self-limiting condition. Several types of tape and their associated application methods are available for different conditions. The aim of the present study was to observe the effect of Kinesio taping (KT) compared with traditional management of NSLBP. [Subjects and Methods] Forty male and female patients with a mean age of 34.8±7.54 years were randomly divided into two groups; group 1 (n=20) which underwent conventional physical therapy with KT, and group 2 (n=20), which underwent only conventional physical therapy. The intervention sessions for both groups were three times per week for four weeks. Outcomes were assessed for activities of daily living (ADL) using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, pain severity using a visual analogue scale, and ranges of motion (ROMs) of trunk flexion and extension using the modified Schober’s test. [Results] Significant differences in measures of pain, ADL, and trunk flexion and extension ROMs were observed post intervention within each group. In comparison, there were no significant differences in measures of pain, ADL, and trunk flexion and extension ROMs post intervention between groups. [Conclusion] A physical therapy program involving strengthening exercises for abdominal muscles and stretching exercises for back, hamstring, and iliopsoas muscles with or without Kinesio taping was beneficial in the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Efficacy of kinesio taping in reducing low back pain

“…Pain, which can be fully evaluated and described only by patient, is assessed as nonspecific low back pain (9,14), endurance (9), reduced extent of affected area muscles (9,15,16), related to its intensity (17,18), and duration (17,14,18). Criteria for subject selection varied more obviously in pain definition.…”

“…Criteria for subject selection varied more obviously in pain definition. The diagnosis of low back pain ranged from "patient seeking treatment" (9,19), "pain score at least 4" (17,18), or had to be diagnosed by an orthopedist (14). Two studies (15,20) researched just healthy subjects.…”

“…Two studies (15,20) researched just healthy subjects. It seems, that the only criteria, agreed by most analyzed studies are the statement about the chronic pain, describing it as the pain that lasts at least 3 months (14,(17)(18)(19).…”

“…The subjects were Kinesio-taped by physiotherapists (9,15,14,18,19), taping practitioners (17) or the examiner (20).…”

“…(9,19), taping over paraspinal muscles either side over lumbar spine (14,17,22), or overlapping in a star shape and asterix taping (17,18). For the stimulation of correct movements, extensibility, and fatigue delay in healthy subjects could be the optimal technique to tape either side over lumbar spine (15) or the fascial correction technique (20).…”