Effects of functional taping compared with sham taping and minimal intervention on pain intensity and static postural control for patients with non-specific chronic low back pain: a randomised clinical trial protocol.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the immediate and 1-month effects of functional taping to lumbar spine for pain intensity and postural control in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and twenty participants aged 18 to 50 years.

INTERVENTIONS: Participants will be allocated at random to receive one of three interventions: functional star-shape taping for 7 days, sham functional taping for 7 days or minimal intervention, one session.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes will be pain intensity and postural control. Four measurements of static posturography will be conducted: pre-intervention, immediately after application of the tape, 7 days post-intervention (after removal of the tape) and 1-month follow-up. The secondary outcomes will be low-back-pain-related disability, global perceived effect of treatment and fear avoidance beliefs. Primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed on three occasions: pre-intervention, 7 days post-intervention and at 1-month follow-up. All statistical analyses will be conducted following intention-to-treat principles, and the treatment effects will be calculated using linear mixed models.

DISCUSSION: The results of this study will determine the effects of functional taping on pain intensity and postural control compared with sham taping and minimal intervention.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02546466.