Efficacy of Kinesio Taping among Females with Postpartum Low Back PainA Quasi-experimental Study

Introduction: Low Back Pain (LBP) is considered to be the most salient feature during the postpartum period. The incidence of postpartum symptoms peculiarly back pain varies from women to women with vanishing of symptoms in over 60% in two days postpartum to as high as 82% at 18 months.

Aim: To explore the efficacy of kinesio tape on pain and Inter-Recti Distance (IRD) in women with Postpartum LBP.

Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at SGT Medical Hospital and Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India in Physiotherapy Outpatient Department (OPD) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology OPD of SGT Hospital. The data was collected from July 2019 to August 2020. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (group A) or control group (group B). Group A that performed combined kinesio taping along with exercises and hot pack five times/week for six week and group B that followed conventional treatment that included exercises and hot pack. Pain and IRD was measured and analysed using Independent t-test at the baseline, end of 3rd week and at the end of 6th week. Independent t-test was used to compare the demographic characteristics as well as baseline criterion measures between both the groups.

Results: Significant improvement in pain scores (mean value of 13.75 at baseline to 3.75 at end of 6th week ) and IRD scores (mean value of 28.37 at baseline to 27.38 at last day of 6th week) were observed in group A that received kinesio taping along with conventional treatment in comparison to group B.

Conclusion: Group A showed significant improvement in IRD and pain parameters indicating improvement in LBP in postpartum women. Therefore, kinesio taping in combination with exercises may be incorporated in the management programs of the women suffering from postpartum LBP.