The immediate and short-term effects of dynamic taping on pain, endurance, disability, mobility and kinesiophobia in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial

PLoS One. 2020 Sep 29;15(9):e0239505. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239505. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Evidence suggests that the application of Kinesio Tape (KT) on patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) is inconclusive. Dynamic tape (DT) is a relatively new treatment technique, which is increasingly being used as an adjunctive method to treat musculoskeletal problems. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the application of DT in individuals with CNLBP. To compare the immediate and short-term effects of DT versus KT and no tape among patients with CNLBP on pain, endurance, disability, mobility, and kinesiophobia. Forty-five patients with CNLBP were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. Outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately, and on the third day post-application of tapes. The primary outcomes of pain, endurance, and disability were measured through the visual analog scale (VAS), Biering-Sorensen test, and Oswestry disability index (ODI), respectively. Secondary outcome measures of mobility and kinesiophobia were measured using the modified-modified Schober test and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, respectively. No significant immediate and short-term differences were found between DT and KT in pain, disability, mobility, and kinesiophobia. Improved back extensor endurance was observed for the DT group than KT (p = 0.023) and control group (p = 0.006). The application of DT may result in improvements only in back extensor endurance among individuals with CNLBP. This finding suggests that DT controls the processes that lead to back muscle fatigue.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletic Tape*
  • Back Muscles / physiopathology
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Disabled Persons
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / physiopathology*
  • Low Back Pain / therapy*
  • Male
  • Muscle Fatigue / physiology
  • Pain Measurement / methods*
  • Physical Endurance / physiology*
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Grant number: R.G.P1/167/41). The first author Dr Khalid A. Alahmari was received the funding. There was no additional external funding received for this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The website of the University: www.kku.edu.sa.