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

Sponsor
Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
Study ID
NCT07317518
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • Low Back Pain

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 65 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Functional Fascial Taping Group — OTHER
    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 — OTHER
    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 — OTHER
    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 — OTHER
    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 Details

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.

Key Dates

First listed
Jan 5, 2026
Start date
Jan 19, 2026
Status verified
Feb 2026
Primary completion
May 1, 2026
Completion
May 15, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
60 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Group 1 (Functional Fascial Taping Group):
    For this group, "I" and "Y" kinesiology tape will be applied using a fascial correction technique on the thoracolumbar fascia with 10-50% oscillatory (oscillating) tension. The taping direction will be determined based on the direction in which pain is most reduced during movement.
  • Active Comparator: Group 2 (Muscle Technique Taping Group):
    This group will be applied using "I" strip kinesiology tape muscle taping techniques on the paravertebral muscles. Two of the tapes will be applied completely tension-free (0%), while one will be applied transversely to the sacroiliac region with 25% tension.
  • Sham Comparator: Group 3 (Damascus Taping Group):
    This group will receive kinesiology tape applied symbolically to the skin over the thoracolumbar region without any therapeutic taping technique, without targeting fascia or muscle correction, and without creating meaningful tension (0% tension). Sham taping will be used to control for the placebo effect, independent of the specific mechanical and neurophysiological effects of taping.

Primary Outcome Measure

Pain intensity [ Time Frame: 6 week ]

Central Contacts

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