Kinesio Tape® Associated with Lumbopelvic Stability Exercises in Chronic Nonradicular Lumbar Pain

Aim: To evaluate the effect of Kinesio tape (KT) associated with a CORE exercise program in subjects with low back pain.

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Place and Duration of Study: Clinical Physiotherapy School of the Physiotherapy Course of the Lutheran University of Brazil, from March 2015 to January 2017.

Methodology: Sixty patients with chronic low back pain were randomised and divided into three groups: KT + CORE, KT, and Placebo KT. The subjects were evaluated before and after intervention regarding pain level, quality of life, functional disability, and lumbopelvic stability.

Results: The group in which KT was associated to the CORE program (KTCG) obtained significant results in pain reduction at the initial evaluation (8.85 ± 3.50), with pain being significantly reduced at the final evaluation (4.35 ± 3.82); the functionality of these individuals also improved significantly (from 12.71 + 5.93 to 8.21 ± 3.66). At the follow-up evaluation, a significant reduction occurred for both the initial and final evaluation (7.79 ± 4.25) (P<.05). KT (KTG), when applied alone, demonstrated a significant effect on pain reduction and function improvement when compared to the placebo (P<.05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated significant results on pain, quality of life, and decreased disability in subjects with nonspecific low back pain who used KT. Notwithstanding, when associated with CORE stability exercises, the results were significantly more satisfactory. KT can be used as a complementary method in chronic nonspecific back pain.