Star-Shape Kinesio Taping Is Not Better Than a Minimal Intervention or Sham Kinesio Taping for Pain Intensity and Postural Control in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effects of star-shape Kinesio taping (KT) compared with both sham KT and minimal intervention (MI) on pain intensity and postural control. DesignRandomized controlled trial. SettingOutpatient physical therapy. ParticipantsA total of 120 people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) aged 18-60 years (N=120). InterventionsStar-shape KT, sham KT (no tension), and MI (educational booklet for self-management counseling). Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome measures were pain intensity and center of pressure (COP) mean sway speed, and disability score (Oswestry Disability Index) was a secondary outcome. The outcomes were obtained immediately after initial KT application, on the seventh day of intervention and at the 1-month follow-up. Linear mixed-model analyses using Bonferroni post hoc analyses were applied to investigate between-group differences. The model included treatment, time, and treatment×time interaction as fixed effects. ResultsPain intensity was significantly lower for the star-shape KT group than for the MI group (mean difference [MD], −1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.63 to −0.07) immediately after the intervention and on the seventh day of intervention (MD, −1.32; 95% CI, −2.56 to −0.07). No difference in pain intensity between star-shape KT vs sham-KT groups was observed. In addition, no significant between-group differences were observed for the COP mean sway speed and disability score at any of the follow-up times. ConclusionsOur results showed no meaningful effect of star-shape KT intervention on pain intensity and postural control in people with CLBP compared with MI or sham KT. The observed reduction of 1.3 units between star-shape KT and MI groups was statistically different, but it could not be considered clinically relevant. The results of this trial suggest that benefits from KT are more likely attributable to contextual factors rather than specific taping parameters.