Effects of different kinesiology taping applications on Pain, muscular Fitness, Proprioception, Mobility, Functionality, and disability in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the effects of different kinesiology taping techniques added to a standard treatment regimen.

METHODS

Ninety patients with disc herniation were grouped into three groups: physical therapy + star taping (Group 1), physical therapy + I-taping (Group 2), and physical therapy alone (Group 3). Pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), back extensor muscle strength and endurance, proprioception, lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), lumbar range of motion, functional level, and disability level were assessed. All measurements were recorded before treatment, immediately after treatment, and at the 12-week follow-up.

RESULTS

In Group 3, an improvement was observed in pain intensity, disability, functionality, joint range of motion, and proprioception at 60° and extension. In addition to improvements observed in Group3, Groups1 and 2 showed significant improvements in PPT, extensor muscle strength, LLA, and 45° proprioception (p < 0.05). Group1 exhibited an increase in LLA compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Compared to Group3, disability decreased in Group1, while extensor muscle strength increased in Group2. At the 12-week follow-up, LLA increased in Group1 but decreased in Group2 compared to post-treatment measurements (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The addition of kinesiology taping to standard physical therapy has been shown to provide additional benefits for pressure pain threshold, extensor muscle strength, 45-degree proprioception, and lumbar lordosis angle in patients with LDH. Selecting specific taping techniques based on clinical goals may increase the effectiveness of treatment programs.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06777095 (retrospectively registered).