[Problems and prospects of kinesiotaping use in clinical practice]

Currently the concept of kinesiotaping has become widespread. Kinesiotaping, which was originally implemented in sports medicine, is increasingly used in rehabilitation and various spheres of medicine, such as orthopedics, traumatology, pediatrics, etc. In recent years, the new publications about the kinesiotaping use in neurology and rheumatology have been released, where previously unknown effects, such as improved sensory feedback, have been demonstrated. Great attention is paid to comparative studies of the effects of kinesiotaping and other methods of taping, which have been used for many years. Nevertheless, despite the popularity of this physical therapy and rehabilitation method, the number of scientific studies supporting its use remains insufficient. The effects originally attributed to kinesiotaping are still controversial, and there is insufficient scientific evidence supporting them. It is not reliably determined whether the tape has a tonic or relaxing effect due to the stimulation of the mechanoreceptors and how the taping affects fascial tissue. Its effect on the reduction of pressure in subcutaneous structures, its mechanisms of action on the microcirculatory bloodstream by stimulating exteroceptors and proprioceptors is unclear. The difficulty of kinesiotaping efficacy evaluation consists in the variety of techniques and the necessity to choose the location of the tape applying, its shape, the suitable tension and adhesion time. The article represents the results of the latest scientific researches on the pathogenetic mechanisms of kinesiotaping and efficacy of this technique in various nosologies.

Effect of Kinesio taping on Pregnancy-related low back pain: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy-related low back pain (PLBP) affects the daily living activities of pregnant women, even leading to fetal agitation and threatened abortion. Kinesio taping (KT) can improve the circulation of blood and provide elastic supports, which is a reliable method to treat low back pain. At present, although many studies have been published on the effects of KT on PLBP, the results are inconsistent, and some studies even report that KT does not affect PLBP. there is still a lack of high-level clinical evidence for the treatment of PLBP with KT. Therefore, this study proposes a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of published Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of KT for PLBP.

METHODS

This protocol is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols. We will search the following database sources of the RCTs: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Science, and the Wanfang Database. From the establishment of the database to April 2021. The retrieval word adopts the combination of theme words and free words. Take "Kinesiotape, Tape Athletic, Orthotic Tape, Athletic Tape, Pregnancy, Pregnancies, Gestation, low back pain" as a term for retrieval. Two independent investigators will conduct an electronic literature search, study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment to summarize and evaluate the efficacy of KT in the treatment of PLBP. Retrospective trials are not included, and the risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane bias risk tool. All data analysis will be conducted using Revman5.3 software.

RESULTS

Quality outcomes in systematic review studies depend on inclusion and search criteria to obtain high-quality data, as well as how the data are processed and interpreted. Among the results, this study will objectively and comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of the randomized controlled trial of KT in the treatment of PLBP, and make a detailed analysis of the effect of KT in the treatment of PLBP. The results will be analyzed by the Visual Analogue Scale of Pain and the Roland Morris Dysfunction Questionnaire. If applicable, a subgroup analysis will also be performed, which will be grouped according to the duration of pregnancy, grade of pain, etc. Finally, the results are submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results, this study will analyze and summarize the effect of KT on improving PLBP. It includes whether KT can improve the pain and lumbar function of PLBP, or it has adverse effects and reactions on pregnant women, then analysis and interpretation of other related issues. It is expected that the results of this study will provide a reference to the method and time of taping for clinical staff, as well as high-quality evidence to resolve the effect of KT on low back pain and provide corresponding guidance for pregnant women with low back pain. It aims to improve the status of low back pain in pregnant women and improve their physical health.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42021250373; https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

Effect of kinesio taping on low back pain during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Low back pain during pregnancy affects the normal daily activities of pregnant women to a certain extent. Current studies have shown that Kinesio Taping (KT) may be a treatment for low back pain during pregnancy, but there is still a lack of key evidence. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of KT in the treatment of low back pain during pregnancy.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, Wanfang Data, CNKI, and VIP databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the efficacy of KT intervention on low back pain in women during pregnancy. The retrieval time limit is from the establishment of the database to April 2021. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 software.

RESULTS

A total of 7 RCTs were included, including 444 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that: Compared with the control group, KT intervention could significantly improve low back pain and dysfunction, VAS score (- 1.62, 95%CI - 2.08 to - 1.16, P < 0.00001, I2 = 77%), RMDQ score (- 1.00, 95%CI - 1.54 to - 0.46, P = 0.0003, I2 = 80%); The results of the meta-analysis of the subgroup showed that compared with the control group, the KT intervention was less than or equal to 1 week, and the waist pain and dysfunction were improved, with statistically significant differences. The difference in the improvement of low back pain was statistically significant after KT intervention for more than 1 week, but there was no statistically significant difference in RMDQ score (- 1.25, 95%CI - 2.66 to 0.15, P = 0.08, I2 =77%). Compared with the control group, KT intervention improved low back pain in the second and third trimesters, and the difference was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

KT has a positive effect on the improvement of low back pain during pregnancy, KT intervention can significantly improve pregnant women's low back pain and dysfunction problems, improve the quality of life. It is suggested that future research should focus on the prevention and treatment of low back pain during pregnancy to provide more research data for improving women's health.

Systematic Review of Lumbar Elastic Tape on Trunk Mobility: A Debatable Issue

Objectives

To systematically review the literature to analyze the effect of lumbar elastic tape application on trunk mobility, surpassing the minimal detectable change of the used outcome measurement tool, and to analyze the additional effect of applied tension and direction of elastic tape application in low back pain and participants without low back pain.

Data Sources

Four databases were used: PubMed, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Google Scholar.

Study Selection

The inclusion criteria were randomized and clinical controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of lumbar elastic tape application on trunk mobility.

Data Extraction

Two researchers executed the search and a third author was consulted to resolve disagreements. The methodological quality was scored using the PEDro scale, with studies scoring ≤5 being excluded.

Data Synthesis

Eight out of 6799 studies were included; 5 studied individuals with low back pain, and 3 studied participants without low back pain. Two studies scored low on the PEDro scale and were excluded. None of the reported significant changes in trunk mobility due to elastic tape application exceeded the indicated minimal detectable change. No conclusions can be drawn from the direction and applied tension of elastic tape application.

Conclusions

Based on the results of this systematic review, there is no evidence supporting the effect of lumbar elastic tape application. We recommend consensus in the use of more reliable and valid instruments in future studies.

Effects of elastic tape in pregnant women with low back pain: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Low back pain is a common problem in pregnant woman. Elastic tape is an alternative method that may reduce low back pain.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effect of elastic tape to placebo tape in the treatment of low back pain in pregnant women.

METHODS

Forty pregnant women were allocated into two groups: elastic group (n= 20) and placebo group (n= 20). All participants were taped by either stretched (elastic group) or non-stretched (placebo group) Kinesio tape at the lower back area for one week.

RESULTS

After the application of stretched elastic tape, lower back pain was significantly reduced by 29.4% (p= 0.003) immediately post-taping and by a further 75.4% after wearing the tape for a week. Compared to the placebo group, lower back pain was significantly reduced in the elastic group after one week of wearing the tape (p< 0.001). Compared to placebo, the application of elastic tape significantly reduced the disability score (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) after one week of wearing the tape (p= 0.018). Taping to the back improved walking speed (immediately and after one week) in both the elastic (p< 0.001, p< 0.001) and placebo groups (p< 0.001, p= 0.001); however, the application of either tape had little effect on posture change.

CONCLUSION

Elastic tape reduced back pain and improved physical function in pregnant women compared to the placebo tape.