The effect of Kinesio taping on back pain in patients with Lenke Type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: This study investigated the short-term effects of KT on back pain (BP) in patients with Lenke Type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: We chosen Lenke Type 1 scoliosis who have had only back pain (the localization of the pain: the only in the apical convex edge). Forty patients suffering from BP with Lenke Type 1 AIS were randomly separated into two groups, Group 1 (20 patients) and Group 2 (20 patients). Group 1 was given KT with tension and home exercises and Group 2 was given KT without tension and home exercises. KT and home exercises was applied to the thoracic area of the patients in both groups for four weeks. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) and SRS-22 (subtotal SRS-20) before and after treatment. RESULTS: Mean age of both groups was 16.1 years. Mean Cobb angle of the thoracic scoliosis was 31.8° (range: 17°–44°) in Group 1 and 32.8° (range: 19°–43°) in Group 2 before the treatment. The decrease in VAS score of Group 1 after taping was higher than that of Group 2. The difference between the pre- and post-treatment VAS scores of both groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The increase in mean SRS-20 score of Group 1 following taping application was significantly higher than the increase in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results demonstrated that KT application with tension effectively leads to back pain relief shortly after application. In addition, KT has a positive impact on quality of life. Thus, KT may be a suitable intervention in treating back pain of patients with AIS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1, Therapeutic study