Efficacy of adding the kinesio taping method to guideline-endorsed conventional physiotherapy in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundChronic nonspecific low back pain is a significant health condition with high prevalence worldwide and it is associated with enormous costs to society. Clinical practice guidelines show that many interventions are available to treat patients with chronic low back pain, but the vast majority of these interventions have a modest effect in reducing pain and disability. An intervention that has been widespread in recent years is the use of elastic bandages called Kinesio Taping. Although Kinesio Taping has been used extensively in clinical practice, current evidence does not support the use of this intervention; however these conclusions are based on a small number of underpowered studies. Therefore, questions remain about the effectiveness of the Kinesio Taping method as an additional treatment to interventions, such as conventional physiotherapy, that have already been recommended by the current clinical practice guidelines in robust and high-quality randomised controlled trials. We aim to determine the effectiveness of the addition of the use of Kinesio Taping in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain who receive guideline-endorsed conventional physiotherapy.Methods/designOne hundred and forty-eight patients will be randomly allocated to receive either conventional physiotherapy, which consists of a combination of manual therapy techniques, general exercises, and specific stabilisation exercises (Guideline-Endorsed Conventional Physiotherapy Group) or to receive conventional physiotherapy with the addition of Kinesio Taping to the lumbar spine (Conventional Physiotherapy plus Kinesio Taping Group) over a period of 5 weeks (10 sessions of treatment). Clinical outcomes (pain intensity, disability and global perceived effect) will be collected at baseline and at 5 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after randomisation. We will also collect satisfaction with care and adverse effects after treatment. Data will be collected by a blinded assessor. All statistical analysis will be conducted following the principles of intention to treat, and the effects of treatment will be calculated using Linear Mixed Models.DiscussionThe results of this study will provide new information about the usefulness of Kinesio Taping as an additional component of a guideline-endorsed physiotherapy program in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Impact of Kinesio Taping application on pregnant women suffering from pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain — preliminary study

“…The development of new methods and the creation of the Kinesio Taping Association International (1984) has increased the need for research evaluating the effectiveness of taping [15][16][17][18][19]. Kinesio Tex Gold elastic tape is the original Japanese product quality certified by the CE (Conformité Européenne) (National industrial chemical notification and assessment scheme, 1995).…”

Effect of taping techniques on pain and grip strength in patients with lateral epicondylitis

“…The decrease in pain after KT can be attributed to the reduction in mechanical stress on free nerve endings within the fascia through fascia unloading. The application of KT created convulsions on the skin which increased the interstitial spaces between the sheets of fascia [19]. The cutaneous stretch stimulation provided by KT interferes with the transmission of mechanical and painful stimuli leading to pain reduction [31].…”

“…The test consisted of sticking a small piece of KT to the upper one third of the posterolateral surface of the forearm and leaving it for 24 hours. The patients who developed an allergic reaction to the tape were asked to remove it immediately and excluded from the study [19]. The research design was randomized, single-blinded clinical trial.…”

Mulligan Versus Kinesio Tape in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

“…A test for allergy should be carried out for all participants pre-application of kinesio tape; where a small piece of kinesio tape is stuck to the thoracic spine and left for 24 hrs. Patients who experienced any allergic reaction were asked to remove the tape immediately; consequently would not be included in this group [16]. Posttest measurements: Pain intensity level, Neck functional disability level, and cervical ROM measurements were repeated as discussed before in pretest measurements after the intervention period to determine its effect.…”

“…Posttest measurements: Pain intensity level, Neck functional disability level, and cervical ROM measurements were repeated as discussed before in pretest measurements after the intervention period to determine its effect. Statistical analysis: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 16) was utilized to analyze the collected data. While nonparametric data analysis was used to compare between pre and post estimations of three groups through one way ANOVA test.…”