The effect of Kinesio taping application for acute non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of Kinesio taping application in acute non-specific low back pain.

Design: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic.

Participants: A total of 109 patients with acute low back pain were randomized into either Kinesio taping (n = 54) or control (n = 55) groups.

Intervention: The intervention group was treated with information and reassurance plus Kinesio taping, while the control group received merely information and reassurance. All participants were allowed to use as-needed doses of paracetamol. Kinesio tape was applied to the most painful area of the low back for a total of 12 days.

Main outcome measures: Worst pain and disability were assessed at baseline, after the 12-day intervention, and at four weeks follow-up. During the first 12 days, participants filled in a pain diary consisting of a numeric rating scale and recorded the number of paracetamol tablets consumed daily. Disability was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index.

Results: After 12 days of intervention, pain intensity and the Oswestry Disability Index improved significantly in both groups; the improvements were significantly superior in the Kinesio taping group (p = 0.003, p = 0.011). The Kinesio taping group reached pain control earlier (sixth day vs. 12th day) and consumed less paracetamol. At the fourth week, although pain intensity was significantly more reduced in the Kinesio taping group (p = 0.015), there were no differences with regard to disability.

Conclusions: Kinesio taping provided significant improvements in pain and disability; thus, it can be used as a complementary method in acute non-specific low back pain.

Keywords: Acute non-specific low back pain; Kinesio tape; Oswestry Disability Index; numeric rating scale.