Efficacy of kinesio taping in reducing low back pain

Abstract

Introduction: Kinesio taping is rehabilitative technique used to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints, without restricting their range of motion. We conducted a thorough literature search and evaluation to clarify whether kinesio taping is effective in reducing lower back pain. Methods: Cochrane Library, CINAHL, COBIB.SI, PubMed and Science Direct were searched using Boolean operators search strings of different keywords such as: adult, low back pain, Kinesio tape, Kinesio taping, kinesiotaping, effects. The search was limited to full-text articles published from 2011 to 2016. Results: A total of 137 records were identified, 123 abstracts screened, and 14 full-text articles assessed for eligibility. Finally, nine publications were selected using CASP tool: eight randomized clinical studies and one literature review. The key variables from collected data were the subject characteristics, taping technique, control interventions, instrument, and outcome. Conclusions: The effect of Kinesio taping in reducing low back pain is positive, but was not statistically significant in analyzed studies. Taping therapy may therefore be used as a supplementary method to conventional physical therapy procedures, and may be important for patients because of its easy accessibility and safet