Abstract
Background: Work related low back pain (WRLBP) is one of the commonest problems classified under WMSDs. Among various healthcare professionals, Physiotherapists and Nurses are most prone for developing WRLBP by virtue of nature of their jobs. Among various physiotherapeutic treatment modalities, Kinesio taping (KT) is sought to be one of the most promising techniques to alleviate the symptoms of WRLBP.
Objectives: To measure the efficacy of kinesio taping (KT) along with conventional physiotherapy (moist heat plus lumbar stabilization exercises) on WRLBP.
Methodology: 42 male physiotherapy and nursing professionals, aged 25 to 55 years and experiencing WRLBP for more than 90 days with pain scores greater than 4 on Visual analogue Scale (VAS) were randomly assigned to an experimental and a control group. The Control Group A (n=20) were given conventional Physiotherapy treatment (moist heat along with lumbar stabilization exercises) whereas for the Experimental Group B (n=20) kinesiotaping (KT) was added to conventional physiotherapy. The outcome measures taken for assessment were VAS for pain measurement, Roland Morris Disability Questionairre (RMDQ) for functional disability, Tampa Scale for fear of movement (kinesiophobia) and Trunk ROM.
Results: Statistically significant improvement were recorded for all outcome variables in both groups (A and B) when compared within the group from baseline readings after 2nd and 4th weeks of intervention. both the patients' groups, aged 36.5 +/- 8.45 years when measured within the groups on both 2nd and 4th week. However, for between groups comparison, the Experimental group B (KT+Conventional PT) recorded better clinical outcomes than the conventional physiotherapy with statistically significant differences measured for pain, forward flexion as well as side to side rotation of the trunk (p<0.05) at the end of 4th week.
Conclusion: Kinesiotaping is an effective treatment modality along with lumbar stabilization exercises for treating WRLBP patients.