Effects of Kinesio Tape on Chronic Low Back Pain

The Effect of Kinesio Tape on Back-Specific Body Perception, Pain, Functional Status, and Physical Activity Level in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

This clinical trial aims to examine kinesiotape's (KT) short-term effect on individuals with nonspecific chronic LBP (CLBP), including back-specific body perception, pain, functional disability, and physical activity. The hypothesis is that applying KT to the lumbar spine would improve back-specific body perception, reduce pain and functional disability, and increase physical activity in individuals with CLBP compared to the sham-taping group.

Low back pain (LBP) is prevalent and the leading cause of disability worldwide. In addition, it is often associated with psychological, social, and physical factors that can impact one's ability to function, participate in society, maintain job satisfaction, and socioeconomic status. Therefore, managing it requires a significant amount of healthcare resources. Maladaptive body image and maladaptive beliefs are among the conditions that can be targeted during treatment as they may contribute to the chronicity of LBP.

This clinical trial aims to examine kinesiotape's (KT) short-term effect on individuals with nonspecific chronic LBP (CLBP), including back-specific body perception, pain, functional disability, and physical activity. The hypothesis is that applying KT to the lumbar spine would improve back-specific body perception, reduce pain and functional disability, and increase physical activity in individuals with CLBP compared to the sham-taping group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ability to speak and write Turkish fluently
• have been experiencing low back pain for at least 3 months
• have a pain severity score of ≥4 on the visual analog scale

Exclusion Criteria:

• had significant spinal surgery in the past (fusion or discectomy), spinal surgery within the last six months,
• a diagnosis of a serious spinal condition (such as cancer, inflammatory arthropathy, or vertebral fracture),
• skin allergy to KT or pre-existing skin lesion or infection
• a neurological disease,
• is currently pregnant,