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Sabbahi M1,2, Ovak Bittar F1
1Texas Physical Therapy and Electrophysiology Services, Research, Houston, United States, 2Texas Woman's University, School of Physical Therapy, Houston, United States
Background: Application of Kinesiotape (KT) in clinical practice is usually based on the practitioner's experience and not physiologic measurement. To optimize the application technique in patients with low back pain (LBP) and neck pain it is important to be based on physiologic testing of the direction of neural decompression. Our previous studies in H-reflexes resulting in the identification of such decompression postures may be a good adjunct for application of KT.
Purpose: This presentation will discuss the use of soleus and flexor Carpi radialis H-reflexes in directing the application of the KT in patients with LBP and neck pain. The immediate results in these patients will also be presented.
Methods: 60 patients with chronic LBP (28 males and 32 females with age range from 27-86) were tested. Thirteen patients with neck pain (5 males and 8 females with age range from 30-61) were also tested during our course of clinical physical therapy protocol. Patients were either tested using dynamic H-reflex studies or using the book test in-order-to identify the decompression posture of the spine (Optimum Spinal Posture, OSP). KT was applied on the paraspinal muscles (lumbar or cervical using longitudinal tape stretched at 75% and diagonal tape to maintain the OSP. The intensity of the radicular pain/symptoms and spinal pain were measured using Visual analog scale (VAS) before and immediately after application of the KT. Straight leg raise/degree (in the lower limbs), as well as grip strength (in the upper limbs), were tested before and after KT application. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Results showed significant (P= 0.001) reduction in the VAS values (by 56.53 % in the lower limbs and 40.3 % in the upper limbs) associated with increased SLR (by 65 to 76.7) and grip strength (by 36.9 to 43.5 on the right side and 32 to 41.3 on the left side) post KT. Patients self-report showed improved gait symmetry, increased the range of movements in upper and lower limbs associated with ease in movement performance and increased the sense of spinal support during daily functions. In the patients with >200 pounds weight, a double tape was applied to improve the support of the body weight. All data were statistically significant post KT at P= 0.01. KT, as well as grip strength (in the upper limbs), maintained in position for 7 days where patients were able to showers, exercise and perform all activities of daily living (ADL).
Conclusion(s): These results provide the clinical evidence for the application and use of KT, based on EMG testing, in patients with lower back and neck pain. The flexibility and strength of the KT serve the purpose of support allowing mobility of the spinal segments resulting in the recorded improved function.
Implications: These data suggest the benefits of KT as an adjunct to other physical therapy procedures. The application method is also recommended/preferred.
Keywords: Kinesiotape, spine pain, H-reflex
Funding acknowledgements: No funding
Purpose: This presentation will discuss the use of soleus and flexor Carpi radialis H-reflexes in directing the application of the KT in patients with LBP and neck pain. The immediate results in these patients will also be presented.
Methods: 60 patients with chronic LBP (28 males and 32 females with age range from 27-86) were tested. Thirteen patients with neck pain (5 males and 8 females with age range from 30-61) were also tested during our course of clinical physical therapy protocol. Patients were either tested using dynamic H-reflex studies or using the book test in-order-to identify the decompression posture of the spine (Optimum Spinal Posture, OSP). KT was applied on the paraspinal muscles (lumbar or cervical using longitudinal tape stretched at 75% and diagonal tape to maintain the OSP. The intensity of the radicular pain/symptoms and spinal pain were measured using Visual analog scale (VAS) before and immediately after application of the KT. Straight leg raise/degree (in the lower limbs), as well as grip strength (in the upper limbs), were tested before and after KT application. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Results showed significant (P= 0.001) reduction in the VAS values (by 56.53 % in the lower limbs and 40.3 % in the upper limbs) associated with increased SLR (by 65 to 76.7) and grip strength (by 36.9 to 43.5 on the right side and 32 to 41.3 on the left side) post KT. Patients self-report showed improved gait symmetry, increased the range of movements in upper and lower limbs associated with ease in movement performance and increased the sense of spinal support during daily functions. In the patients with >200 pounds weight, a double tape was applied to improve the support of the body weight. All data were statistically significant post KT at P= 0.01. KT, as well as grip strength (in the upper limbs), maintained in position for 7 days where patients were able to showers, exercise and perform all activities of daily living (ADL).
Conclusion(s): These results provide the clinical evidence for the application and use of KT, based on EMG testing, in patients with lower back and neck pain. The flexibility and strength of the KT serve the purpose of support allowing mobility of the spinal segments resulting in the recorded improved function.
Implications: These data suggest the benefits of KT as an adjunct to other physical therapy procedures. The application method is also recommended/preferred.
Keywords: Kinesiotape, spine pain, H-reflex
Funding acknowledgements: No funding
Topic: Pain & pain management; Musculoskeletal: spine; Electrophysical & isothermal agents
Ethics approval required: No
Institution: Texas Physical Therapy and electrophysiolgy services
Ethics committee: Internal consent forms
Reason not required: Data was collected during routine clinical work with patients consented for the study
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
