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

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

Randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis.

University laboratory.

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

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.

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).

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 3days after application of the tape. For disability, there was a difference between CG and KTT group at 3days (MD 3.5; 95% CI 0.8 to 6.1; P=0.004) and 10days (MD 32; 95% CI 0.4 to 6.0; P=0.016). For all the other variables, there were no differences between groups.

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

NCT02550457 (clinicaltrials.gov).