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.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

OBJECTIVE: This 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. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Outpatient physical therapy. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 120 people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) aged 18-60 years (N=120). INTERVENTIONS: Star-shape KT, sham KT (no tension), and MI (educational booklet for self-management counseling). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 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. RESULTS: Pain 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. CONCLUSIONS: Our 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.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Jassi, FJ; Del Antônio, TT; Azevedo, BO; Moraes, R; George, SZ; Chaves, TC

Published Date

  • July 2021

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 102 / 7

Start / End Page

  • 1352 - 1360.e3

PubMed ID

  • 33819489

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1532-821X

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.03.007

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States