Abstract
BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of kinesiology taping (KT) on lumbar proprioception, pain, and functional disability in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP).MethodsThirty individuals with nonspecific CLBP participated in this double-blinded, randomized clinical trial from July 2017 to September 2018. The participants were randomized into two groups: KT (n = 15) and placebo group (n = 15). KT was applied with 15–25% tension for 72 h, and placebo taping was used without tension. Lumbar repositioning error was measured by a bubble inclinometer at three different angles (45° and 60° flexion, and 15° extension) in upright standing. Pain and disability were assessed by the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire and Oswestry Disability Index, respectively. All measurements were recorded at baseline and 3 days after taping.ResultsPain and disability scores reduced 3 days after taping in the KT group with large effect sizes (p < 0.05). Only the total score of pain was significantly different between the groups 3 days after taping and improved more in the KT group with a large effect size (p < 0.05). However, lumbar repositioning errors were similar between the groups after 3 days (p > 0.05). Also, only constant error of 15° extension showed a moderate correlation with disability (r = 0.39, p = 0.02).ConclusionKT can decrease pain and disability scores after 3 days of application. Although placebo taping can reduce pain, the effect of KT is higher than placebo taping. The findings do not support the therapeutic effect of KT and placebo taping as a tool to enhance lumbar proprioception in patients with nonspecific CLBP.Trial registrationThe study prospectively registered on 21.05.2018 at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20090301001722N20.
Highlights
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of kinesiology taping (KT) on lumbar proprioception, pain, and functional disability in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP)
The groups were comparable at baseline, and there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding age, gender, BMI, pain (Total score of pain (S/A), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), present pain intensity (PPI)), or disability (ODI) (Table 1)
Effect of intervention There were no significant differences in pain (total score of pain (S/A), VAS and PPI), functional disability or repositioning error (RE) (AE and Constant Error (CE)) at the angles (45° and 60° flexion and 15° extension) between the groups at baseline (P > 0.05)
Summary
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of kinesiology taping (KT) on lumbar proprioception, pain, and functional disability in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP). Proprioceptive inputs are derived from afferent information received from muscle, joint, and skin receptors [2] These receptors have different roles depending on the range at a given joint; for example, previous studies have found that joint receptors to be activated near the end of the joint range, while muscle spindles provide afferent inputs throughout the physiologic ranges [3]. Proprioception has been measured by force–plate analysis [4], electromyographic (EMG) activity [5], and position sense [6]. There is evidence that individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) have reduced proprioceptive ability and larger lumbar RE in the lumbar region [7, 8], but some studies have found no significant difference between subjects with CLBP with pain-free participants [9, 10]. Rehabilitation programs should be designed to improve proprioception; there has been little research to support this
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