Effectiveness of Kinesio taping application on low back pain in university employees: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of Kinesio-taping on treatment of low back pain. Twenty male university employees (with low back pain) aged 30 to 40 yrs, were randomly classified into two groups: Kinesio taping group (KT) comprised of ten patients, who obtained Kinesio taping application in addition to home exercise for back and abdominal muscles; and control group which comprised of ten patients, who received only home exercise recommendations without KT application. Pain and disability scores were recorded before starting the program and after 6 weeks at the end of the program. Baseline characteristics showed non-significant differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). There was significant difference between pre-and post-treatment in the KT group (p < 0.05); while the control group showed non-significant differences between pre-and post-program (p > 0.05). It could be concluded that KT is a beneficial adjunctive physical therapy tool that could help in decreasing disability and pain.

The potential value of kinesio taping for the management of nonspecific low back pain

“…Numerous conservative treatments for lower back pain have been investigated along the years, treatments that have shown different clinical benefits [7,35]. They have been developed in order to improve the ability of performing routine activities ("Activities of Daily Living" -ADL), quality of life, as well as in order to reduce pain and to teach patients how to manage their pain [9,36].…”

“…According to Bayomi A.Y.I. kinesio taping represents a therapeutic mean that is useful as an adjuvant of physical therapy, and that can aid in diminishing incapacity and lower back pain [7]. In a controlled, randomized trial, researchers have compared conventional physical therapy (that included muscle strengthening exercises for the abdominal muscle groups and stretching exercises for the back, tendons, and iliopsoas muscle) and kinesio taping for the treatment of chronic, unspecific, lower back pain.…”

“…It is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders that affects up to 80% of the adult population at least once in a lifetime [4,5]. There are many causes for lower back pain among which we mention scoliosis, bad posture during sleep, muscle and ligaments tension or straining [6,7]; it can appear after repeated injuries or after physical stress, together with an imbalance in the muscles of the lumbar and pelvic regions, phasic muscles become insufficient, and postural muscles become hyperactive and tensed [8,9,10]. Lower back pain can also be caused by traumatic or osteoporotic fractures of the vertebrae, by tumors, infections or by the acceleration of intervertebral disc degeneration, after a surgical slip [11].…”

“…Sometimes lower back pain can appear after a specific movement such as lifting bending or curving, and in the elderly in case of exaggerated activity [12]. Among the risk factors there are physical work, overweight and obesity, and pregnancy [7,13]. Any type of lumbar pain which is caused by a strain in the muscles of the spine and by the abnormal stress exerted upon the region is considered mechanical lumbar pain [12,14].…”