The effect of Kinesio taping on back pain in patients with Lenke Type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the short-term effects of KT on back pain (BP) in patients with Lenke Type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: We chosen Lenke Type 1 scoliosis who have had only back pain (the localization of the pain: the only in the apical convex edge). Forty patients suffering from BP with Lenke Type 1 AIS were randomly separated into two groups, Group 1 (20 patients) and Group 2 (20 patients). Group 1 was given KT with tension and home exercises and Group 2 was given KT without tension and home exercises. KT and home exercises was applied to the thoracic area of the patients in both groups for four weeks. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and SRS-22 (subtotal SRS-20) before and after treatment.

Results: Mean age of both groups was 16.1 years. Mean Cobb angle of the thoracic scoliosis was 31.8° (range: 17°-44°) in Group 1 and 32.8° (range: 19°-43°) in Group 2 before the treatment. The decrease in VAS score of Group 1 after taping was higher than that of Group 2. The difference between the pre- and post-treatment VAS scores of both groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The increase in mean SRS-20 score of Group 1 following taping application was significantly higher than the increase in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Results demonstrated that KT application with tension effectively leads to back pain relief shortly after application. In addition, KT has a positive impact on quality of life. Thus, KT may be a suitable intervention in treating back pain of patients with AIS.

Level of evidence: Level 1, Therapeutic study.

Keywords: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis; Back pain; Exercise; Kinesio taping.

Fig. 1

KT with tension application: over the area of spinalis thoracis muscle (between T3 and L1) 25–50% of tension for the convex side (from the origin of the muscle to the insertion point) for and 15–25% of tension for the concave side (from the insertion of the muscle to the origin point). A. Determination of muscle localizations. B. Application for the convex side with tension (about between 25% and 50%). C. Application for the concave side with tension (about between 15% and 25%). D. Image after post-treatment KT application with tension.

Fig. 2

KT without tension or paper off technique application: over the thoracic area (between T3 and L1) for the convex side (from the origin of the muscle to the insertion point) for the concave side (from the insertion of the muscle to the origin point). A. Determination of muscle localizations. B. Application for the convex side without tension. C. Application for the concave side without tension. D. Image after post-treatment KT application without tension.