This study aimed to compare the effects of functional taping, manual therapy, and stereodynamic interference current applications on pain, functional capacity, sleep quality, and kinesiophobia in individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP). Conducted with 88 participants, the study divided them into four groups: a control group (standard physiotherapy), a functional taping group, a manual therapy group, and a stereodynamic interference current group. All groups received 10 sessions of treatment, 3 days a week. The study evaluated pain intensity (VAS), fear of movement (FOM), functional disability (ODI), and sleep quality (PSQI) at three points: before treatment, after treatment, and one month later. Results showed that manual therapy significantly improved pain levels (p<0.05), while stereodynamic interference current also reduced pain. Functional taping was most effective in reducing kinesiophobia (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of the Oswestry Disability Index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores (p>0.05). The study concluded that manual therapy was the most effective for pain control, and functional taping was superior for managing kinesiophobia, emphasizing the need for individualized and multidisciplinary approaches in treating musculoskeletal health issues.

This randomized controlled experimental study was designed to compare the effects of functional taping, manual therapy, and stereodynamic interference current applications on pain, functional capacity, sleep quality, and kinesiophobia in individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP). A total of 88 participants diagnosed with chronic LBP were recruited and randomly assigned into four groups: a control group receiving standard physiotherapy, a functional taping group, a manual therapy group, and a stereodynamic interference current group.

All participants underwent treatment for 10 sessions, administered three times per week. The interventions were standardized across the groups, and treatment adherence was carefully monitored. Assessments were conducted at three time points: baseline (before treatment), immediately after the treatment period, and one month following the completion of treatment.

The primary outcome measures included pain intensity, assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS); fear of movement (kinesiophobia), assessed with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK); functional disability, assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI); and sleep quality, assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

The results indicated that the manual therapy group exhibited the greatest improvement in both resting and movement-related pain (p<0.05). Stereodynamic interference current application was also found to significantly reduce pain levels. The functional taping group demonstrated the most substantial improvement in reducing kinesiophobia scores (p<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding functional disability (ODI) and sleep quality (PSQI) scores (p>0.05).

The findings highlight that manual therapy is particularly effective for managing pain in chronic LBP patients, while functional taping is especially beneficial for addressing fear of movement. These results underscore the importance of individualized treatment planning based on the specific needs of patients and support the integration of multidisciplinary approaches to effectively manage complex musculoskeletal conditions

Inclusion Criteria:

• participants had to be aged between 20 and 50 years,
• have a diagnosis of chronic low back pain (low back pain persisting for more than 12 weeks),
• have a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of at least 4/10,
• be suitable for physical therapy, and sign a written informed consent form by voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• with a history of lumbar surgery,
• acute inflammatory diseases or signs of infection, rheumatological, neurological or cardiovascular system diseases,
• pregnancy status,
• history of invasive intervention in the lumbar region within the last six months

This study was conducted with single-blind masking, where the participants were blinded to the group allocation. Participants were not informed about the specific physiotherapy technique or intervention they received (e.g., whether they received functional taping, manual therapy, or stereodynamic interference current) to minimize expectation bias. However, due to the nature of the interventions, therapists administering the treatment were not blinded.