Effects of Dynamic taping on pain, disability, mobility and endurance among subjects with low back pain

1. Pain intensity is recorded by the participant using a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS), where 0 represented no pain and 10 represented unbearable pain. Pain assessed before application of Dynamic tape or Kinesiology tape (Pre-test); it will be assessed immediately after the application of tapes (Post-test 1) and the pain assessed again after the 3rd day of tape application (Post-test 2).
2. Disability assessed using the English / Arabic version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). It is a self-rating questionnaire used to evaluate the functional physical disability. It includes 10 sections of six propositions and each rated on a 0 – 5 scale. Relative values are reported (total score / total possible score X 100%). A higher score indicates a worse disability. Disability assessed before application of Dynamic tape or Kinesiology tape (Pre-test); it will be assessed immediately after the application of tapes (Post-test 1) and the disability assessed again after the 3rd day of tape application (Post-test 2).
3. Endurance: Back extensor muscle endurance assessed using by Biering-Sorensen test. Participants are positioned on a treatment table in prone, with the lower half of their body secured with 3 straps. For testing, the participant’s ability to maintain a horizontal position is timed using a stopwatch/timer, and standardized verbal encouragement is provided at 30-second intervals. The participant is placed in the starting position for the test, prone on a plinth with the upper edge of the iliac crests aligned with the edge of the table. A second hydraulic table is transversely placed at the same height to the first one under the trunk and upper body, in order that the participants may be supported completely in prone position before initiation of the test. The lower limbs are fixed to the table in full extension, together, and with ankles in plantar flexion using three straps perpendicular to the midline. The first strap is located at the level of the greater trochanter, the second one at the level of the popliteal fossa and the last one at the level of the Achilles tendon insertion as close as possible to the malleoli. An inclinometer fixed to the participant’s inter-scapular region by an elastic strap around the chest is used to measure changes in flexion or extension of the subjects during the test. On initiation of the test the second table is lowered and the subject is requested to place their arms across their chest and maintain a neutral spinal position The timer is started as soon as arms are positioned across the chest and the participant is maintaining this position without assistance However at no point is either the researcher or participant aware of the amount of time that had passed, as this has been shown to be a factor directly influencing test results. An oscillation of the inclinometer needle of 100 during the test is permitted, between 50 of extension and 50 of flexion. The test ended when any part of the participant’s upper limb touched the table or when they are unable to recover the test position even with verbal encouragement. At this point, the timer is stopped and the test finished. The duration of the test documented in seconds. Endurance assessed before application of Dynamic tape or Kinesiology tape (Pre-test); it will be assessed immediately after the application of tapes (Post-test 1) and the endurance assessed again after the 3rd day of tape application (Post-test 2). A blinded assessor will be used to measure the outcome measures.

1. Mobility: Spinal mobility assessed by two methods:
1.1. The lumbar range of motion assessed using a back range of motion (BROM) device. Lumbar flexion, extension, right side flexion, left side flexion, right lateral rotation, left lateral rotation are measured. It is a modified protractor goniometer to measure lumbar spinal mobility in all three plans. An advantage of the BROM device is that it can measure all lumbar motions independent of thoracic and hip motions.
1.2. Modified Schober test: Patient standing and measurements made 10 cm above and 5 cm below the lumbosacral junction (dimples of Venus). Repeat measurement with the patient in full forward flexion and back extension.
Mobility assessed before application of Dynamic tape or Kinesiology tape (Pre-test); it will be assessed immediately after the application of tapes (Post-test 1) and the mobility assessed again after the 3rd day of tape application (Post-test 2).
2. Movement fear-avoidance: The English / Arabic version of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) is a 17-item self-report checklist using a 4-point Likert scale that was developed as a measure of fear of movement or (re)injury. The total score ranges between 17 and 68. A high value on the TSK indicates a high degree of kinesiophobia 37 or over is considered a high score, while scores below 37 are considered low. Movement fear-avoidance is assessed before application of Dynamic tape or Kinesiology tape (Pre-test); it will be assessed immediately after the application of tapes (Post-test 1) and the movement fear-avoidance assessed again after the 3rd day of tape application (Post-test 2).