Kinesio Taping vs. Placebo in Reducing Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain: A Cross-Over Study

BACKGROUND Spinal pain affects approximately 45-56% of pregnant women. Kinesio taping (KT) involves application of flexible water-resistant elastic bands on the patient's body, resulting in painless and non-invasive stimulation. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of KT on reduction of low back pain in pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS Kinesio Tex Gold tapes were applied using the muscular-ligament technique and Polovis Plus textile cladding blinded the sample. The starting position for the KT and placebo with lumbar spine flexion with rotation was in the opposite direction to the application. An "I"-shaped application was used. The material included 106 women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, with low back pain. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Polish version of the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ-2004) were used for pain assessment. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups. KT and placebo were used alternately in 2 groups. RESULTS Mean pain intensity on the 2nd and 7th post-application days was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. Mean scores for the RMDQ differed significantly before and after KT (p<0.0001), and after KT and placebo (p<0.0057), but there are no differences before and after placebo (p<0.67) and before KT and placebo (p<0.59). CONCLUSIONS Low back pain in pregnant women decreased significantly after KT when compared to placebo. The therapeutic effect appeared on day 2 and continued after removal of the tape. The few side effects did not affect the course of the study.