Effectiveness of the Addition of the Kinesio Taping Method to Conventional Physical Therapy Treatment in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Effectiveness of the Addition of the Kinesio Taping Method to Conventional Physical Therapy Treatment in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Effectiveness of the Addition of the Kinesio Taping Method to Conventional Physical Therapy Treatment in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the addition of the use of Kinesio Taping in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain who receive conventional physical therapy.

One hundred and forty-eight patients will be randomized to receive either conventional physical therapy, which consist of a combination of manual therapy techniques, general exercises and specific exercises for spinal segmental stabilization (Conventional Physical Therapy Group) or to receive conventional physical therapy plus the addition of the Kinesio Taping in the lumbar spine (Conventional Physical Therapy plus Kinesio Taping), over a period of 5 weeks (10 sessions of treatment). Clinical outcomes (pain intensity, disability and global perceived effect ) will be collected at baseline and at 5 weeks, 3 and 6 months after randomization. Data will be collected by a blinded examiner who will be unaware about the group allocation. All statistical analysis will be conducted following the principles of intention to treat analysis and the between-group differences will be performed using Mixed Linear Models.

Combination of manual therapy techniques, general exercises and specific exercises for spinal segmental stabilization. Patients will receive 10 sessions of treatment over a period of five weeks (two sessions/week). The treatment will be tailored to the patient presentation (i.e. pragmatic treatment).

Patients will receive conventional physical therapy plus an application of Kinesiotaping in their lumbar spine. Patients will receive 10 sessions of treatment over a period of five weeks (two sessions/week).

Combination of manual therapy techniques, general exercises and specific exercises for spinal segmental stabilization. Patients will receive 10 sessions of treatment over a period of five weeks (two sessions/week). The treatment will be tailored to the patient presentation (i.e. pragmatic treatment).

Kinesiotaping intervention is based upon the use of specific elastic tapes (known as Kinesio Tex Gold) that are applied with a certain amount of tension fixed to the skin of patients with the target muscles in a stretched position. The tapes will be placed over the superficial back muscles (erector spinae muscles).

Disability associated with low back pain will be measured by the 24-item Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire

Disability associated with low back pain will be measured by the 24-item Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire

Global impression of recovery will be measured by an 11-point (-5 to +5) Global Perceived Effect Scale

Satisfaction with care will be measured by the Medrisk Instrument for Measuring Patient Satisfaction with Physiotherapy Care

Inclusion Criteria: Patients with non-specific low back pain longer than 12 weeks Seeking care for low back pain Exclusion Criteria: Contra indications to physical exercise Serious spinal pathologies (e.g. tumors, fractures and inflammatory diseases) Nerve root compromise Contra indications to the Kinesio Taping (e.g. intolerance to tapes, band aids etc) Pregnancy Severe cardiorespiratory conditions

Added MA, Costa LO, de Freitas DG, Fukuda TY, Monteiro RL, Salomao EC, de Medeiros FC, Costa Lda C. Kinesio Taping Does Not Provide Additional Benefits in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain Who Receive Exercise and Manual Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2016 Jul;46(7):506-13. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2016.6590. Epub 2016 Jun 6.