Kinesio Taping reduces pain and improves disability in low back pain patients: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping® (KT) on chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP).

Design

Randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis.

Setting

University laboratory.

Participants

One hundred and eight women with chronic non-specific LBP underwent an evaluation pre, 3 and 10 days after intervention.

Interventions

After randomisation, participants were assigned to four groups: KT with tension group (KTT) applied KT® with tension in the region of the erector spinae muscles; KT no tension group (KTNT) applied KT® with no tension in the same region; Micropore group (MP) applied Micropore® tape on the erector spinae muscles; and control group (CG) did not receive any intervention.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was pain sensation, measured by numerical pain rating scale. Secondary outcomes were: disability (Roland Morris Disability questionnaire), trunk range of motion (inclinometry), strength (dynamometry) and electromyographic amplitude (electromyography).

Results

Improved pain relief was observed for KTT group (mean difference 2.0; 95% CI 0.5 to 3.4; P = 0.003) and KTNT group [mean difference (MD) 1.9; 95% CI 0.5 to 3.4; P = 0.004] compared with CG at 3 days after application of the tape. For disability, there was a difference between CG and KTT group at 3 days (MD 3.5; 95% CI 0.8 to 6.1; P = 0.004) and 10 days (MD 32; 95% CI 0.4 to 6.0; P = 0.016). For all the other variables, there were no differences between groups.

Conclusion

KT with or without tension reduces pain 3 days after its application. Additionally, when applied with tension, it improves disability after 3 and 10 days in patients with LBP.

Trial registration

NCT02550457 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Citation

Kinesio Taping reduces pain and improves disability in low back pain patients: a randomised controlled trial