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

NCT07317518 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 52066301980.
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Keywords

Non-specific chronic low back pain; Kinesio taping; Thoracolumbar fascia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Pain intensity

  The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used to measure participants' pain intensity. Participants are asked to indicate their current state by placing a line or dot on a 10-centimeter straight line, where both ends are defined by the parameter to be measured in the individual. Pain intensity in the individual is calculated in this way. For example, the parameters to be evaluated are determined at one end of the drawn 10-centimeter straight line (0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain).

  6 week

• The thoracolumbar fascia thickness/ULTRASOUND

  The thoracolumbar fascia thickness will be measured using the Versana Primer R2 VS GE (China, 2022) ultrasound with a 4.0-13.0 MHz, 38.4 mm probe and a scanning protocol performed at the L3 level of the lumbar spine. Measurements will be performed by an experienced physician doctor in musculoskeletal ultrasound. Measurements will be performed bilaterally in the standard manner, with the patient lying comfortably in the prone position. Measurements will be performed using ultrasound B-mode and a depth setting of 30 mm. Sufficient gel will be used to avoid probe compression on the skin to ensure accurate measurements. To prevent TLF thickness differences from affecting the results, measurements will be taken at 3 separate points and averaged. As recommended by Pirri et al., the probe will be placed perpendicularly, and short and long axis images will be obtained. Images will be recorded and measurements will be taken (Pirri et al., 2024).

  6 week

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• LOW BACK PAIN DISABILITY

  6 week

• Posture

  6 week

• Lateral Bridge Testt

  6 week

• Spinal Mobility:

  6 week

• Postural Endurance (Postural Competence):

  6 week

Study Arms (3)

Group 1 (Functional Fascial Taping Group):

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Other: Functional Fascial Taping Group; Other: Traditional treatment

Group 2 (Muscle Technique Taping Group):

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Other: Muscle Technique Taping Group; Other: Traditional treatment

Group 3 (Damascus Taping Group):

SHAM COMPARATOR

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.

Other: Damascus Banding Group; Other: Traditional treatment

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.

Group 1 (Functional Fascial Taping Group):

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.

Group 2 (Muscle Technique Taping Group):

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.

Group 3 (Damascus Taping Group):

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.

Group 1 (Functional Fascial Taping Group):; Group 2 (Muscle Technique Taping Group):; Group 3 (Damascus Taping Group):

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age: Be between 18 and 65 years old.
• Volunteer status: Be willing to participate in the study and sign an informed consent form.
• Diagnosis: Have been diagnosed by a physician with nonspecific mechanical chronic low back pain. This diagnosis is defined as follows:
• A pain episode lasting longer than 6 weeks or
• A history of recurrent low back pain (episodes lasting longer than 24 hours with at least one pain-free period of one month before/after the episode).
• Localization: Pain localized between the lowest rib and the gluteal folds.

You may not qualify if:

• Specific Spinal Pathologies: The presence of a specific cause for back pain (e.g., structural abnormalities such as herniation, stenosis, spondylolisthesis).
• History of Major Trauma: A history of serious trauma to the back region.
• Systemic Diseases: Systemic diseases that may affect the outcome, such as rheumatological diseases or diabetes.
• History of Cancer: Any cancer diagnosis or history.
• Osteoporosis: Diagnosis of bone loss.
• Inflammatory or Neurological Diseases: Diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis or a neurological disease.
• Radicular Pain: Presence of radicular pain radiating to the legs, suggesting nerve root compression.
• Skin Conditions:
• Known skin sensitivity or allergy to the patches.
• Active dermatitis or pre-existing skin lesion in the patch application area.
• Recent Treatments: Having undergone a physical therapy and rehabilitation (PTR) program targeting the lumbar region or an intervention such as an injection within the last 3 months prior to the start of the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kirşehir Ahi Evran Univercity

Center, Kirşehi̇r, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Şafak KUZU

  Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Şafak KUZU, PhD

CONTACT

+905068490542; safak.yumusak@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assist. Prof.

Model Details: Randomized controlled trials

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 15, 2025
• First Posted: January 5, 2026
• Study Start: January 19, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2026
• Study Completion: May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: February 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)