The efficacy of Kinesio taping in patients with a low back pain

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Kinesio taping is a treatment for pain and dysfunction of musculoskeletal system, using tapes which have a similar elasticity to skin. This study was done to find out about the efficacy of kinesio taping on patients with a low back pain. METHODS: This study was performed in patients with a non-specific low back pain who had visited the Inchon International Airport Construction Authority Clinic from January 2000 to April 2000. We performed taping to a randomized case group and a placebo to control group during the first 3 days. After the first 3 days, we assessed the changes of improvement in low back pain with visual-analogue pain scale (VAS) . From the second visit on, we also started carrying out kinesio taping in the control group. RESULTS: The total number of patients participating in this study was 43, but 4 patients did not complete the study stopped. After the first 3 days, control group showed just 0.93 of the VAS score improvement, while randomized case group showed 2.55(p=0.003). The VAS score of case and control group were 3.18 and 3.03 respectively, which showed improvement at the end point of treatment compared with the first score. CONCLUSIONS: Kinesio taping was more efficacious than placebo in patients with a nonspecific low back pain.