The Effect of Different Kinesio Taping Techniques Applied to Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain on the Thoracolumbar Fascia
The Effect of Different Kinesio Taping Techniques Applied to Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain on the Thoracolumbar Fascia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
60 participants
Jan 19, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
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
Inclusion Criteria6
- Age: Be between 18 and 65 years old.
- Volunteer status: Be willing to participate in the study and sign an informed consent form.
- Diagnosis: Have been diagnosed by a physician with nonspecific mechanical chronic low back pain. This diagnosis is defined as follows:
- A pain episode lasting longer than 6 weeks or
- A history of recurrent low back pain (episodes lasting longer than 24 hours with at least one pain-free period of one month before/after the episode).
- Localization: Pain localized between the lowest rib and the gluteal folds.
Exclusion Criteria11
- Specific Spinal Pathologies: The presence of a specific cause for back pain (e.g., structural abnormalities such as herniation, stenosis, spondylolisthesis).
- History of Major Trauma: A history of serious trauma to the back region.
- Systemic Diseases: Systemic diseases that may affect the outcome, such as rheumatological diseases or diabetes.
- History of Cancer: Any cancer diagnosis or history.
- Osteoporosis: Diagnosis of bone loss.
- Inflammatory or Neurological Diseases: Diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis or a neurological disease.
- Radicular Pain: Presence of radicular pain radiating to the legs, suggesting nerve root compression.
- Skin Conditions:
- Known skin sensitivity or allergy to the patches.
- Active dermatitis or pre-existing skin lesion in the patch application area.
- Recent Treatments: Having undergone a physical therapy and rehabilitation (PTR) program targeting the lumbar region or an intervention such as an injection within the last 3 months prior to the start of the study.
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Interventions
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.
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.
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.
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.
Locations(1)
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NCT07317518