The Effect of Different Kinesio Taping Techniques Applied to Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain on the Thoracolumbar Fascia

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Functional Fascial Taping Group: The treatment program for the Functional Fascial Taping Group is as follows: Participants in this group will undergo a targeted fascial correction technique applied to the thoracolumbar fascia. In practice, "I" and "Y" strips cut from 5 cm x 5 m kinesiology tape will be used, and the tapes will be applied to the right and left thoracolumbar fascia with an oscillatory (oscillating) tension in the range of 10-50%. The protocol will be repeated for a total of 2 weeks (4 sessions), twice a week, and the tapes will be replaced at each session. The primary goal is to reduce pain and improve function by directly affecting the biomechanics of the fascial tissue. Patients in the stabilization exercises group will perform cervical stabilization exercises consisting of 3 levels with gradually increasing difficulty. The exercises will be taught to patients level by level by a physical therapist over 6 weeks. Stretching exercises will be performed before each exercise session.

Muscle Technique Taping Group: In this group, the more traditional approach of muscle taping will be adopted. The application will be performed using three "I"-shaped strips of tape. The first two strips will be placed completely tension-free (0%) on the paravertebral muscles while the patient is leaning forward and performing a slight rotation. The third tape will be applied transversally with 25% tension, parallel to the ground, over the sacroiliac joints. This protocol will also be applied twice a week for two weeks, with the aim of providing muscle support and increasing stabilization.

Damascus Banding Group: The taping applied in this group will not aim to correct any muscles or fascia, will be performed without applying therapeutic tension (0% tension), and will not produce a standard clinical effect. At the end of the study, all participants will be informed that they can access known effective taping approaches upon request.

Traditional treatment: Patients in the stabilization exercise group will be given cervical stabilization exercises consisting of 3 levels with gradually increasing difficulty. The exercises will be taught to patients level by level by a physical therapist over 6 weeks. Patients will perform the exercises for a total of 6 weeks. Patients will be asked to perform stretching exercises before each exercise session.

Study summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of functional thoracolumbar fascia kinesiology taping on fascia thickness, pain, and functional disability in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain. The study is planned as a randomized controlled trial and will include a total of 30 individuals aged 18-65 years who have been diagnosed with nonspecific mechanical chronic low back pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the Functional Fascial Taping Group will receive kinesiology tape applied to the thoracolumbar fascia using a fascia correction technique, while the Muscle Technique Taping Group will receive traditional muscle taping applied to the paravertebral muscles. Interventions will be performed twice a week for two weeks. Assessments will be performed before and after treatment; pain intensity will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale, pressure pain threshold will be measured using an algometer, functional disability will be measured using the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index, and thoracolumbar fascia thickness will be measured using ultrasonography. The findings are expected to contribute to clinical practice by providing evidence-based data on the effectiveness of different kinesiology taping techniques in chronic low back pain.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Pain intensity — 6 week
  The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used to measure participants' pain intensity. Participants are asked to indicate their current state by placing a line or dot on a 10-centimeter straight line, where both ends are defined by the parameter to be measured in the individual. Pain intensity in the individual is calculated in this way. For example, the parameters to be evaluated are determined at one end of the drawn 10-centimeter straight line (0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain).
• The thoracolumbar fascia thickness/ULTRASOUND — 6 week
  The thoracolumbar fascia thickness will be measured using the Versana Primer R2 VS GE (China, 2022) ultrasound with a 4.0-13.0 MHz, 38.4 mm probe and a scanning protocol performed at the L3 level of the lumbar spine. Measurements will be performed by an experienced physician doctor in musculoskeletal ultrasound. Measurements will be performed bilaterally in the standard manner, with the patient lying comfortably in the prone position. Measurements will be performed using ultrasound B-mode and a depth setting of 30 mm. Sufficient gel will be used to avoid probe compression on the skin to ensure accurate measurements. To prevent TLF thickness differences from affecting the results, measurements will be taken at 3 separate points and averaged. As recommended by Pirri et al., the probe will be placed perpendicularly, and short and long axis images will be obtained. Images will be recorded and measurements will be taken (Pirri et al., 2024).

Trial sites (1)

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