Comparison of the effects of kinesio taping and manual therapy in patients with lumbar disc herniation

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) and Manual Therapy (MT) on pain, activities of daily living, disability, muscle strength, muscle length, range of motion, depression and anxiety levels in patients with lumbar disc herniation. 60 volunteer patients aged between 20 and 50, with the diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation whom applied to Şanlıurfa M. Akif İnan Training and Research Hospital, Physical Therapy Unit were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups with simple randomization methodology as Classic Physical Therapy (CPT) (n=20), Kinesio Taping (KT) (n=20), and Manual Therapy (MT) (n=20). The CPT group received hotpack, TENS, ultrasound and home exercise program for 5 sessions per week, for 3 weeks. The KT group received KT therapy 2 days per week, for 3 weeks, a total of 6 sessions in addition to the CPT program. The MT group received a total of 6 sessions of MT for 2 days per week for 3 weeks, in addition to the CPT program. At the beginning of the study, pain severity was assessed with Visual Pain Scale and McGill Melzack Pain Questionnaire. In addition, the Functional Back Pain Scale, Nottingham Health Profile, Beck Depression Index, Beck Anxiety Index, manual muscle test, muscle length, and range of movement were evaluated. The subjects were re-evaluated after 3 weeks of treatment and results were analyzed with the appropriate statistical programs. As a result of the study, there was a significant difference in pain, activity of daily living, depression, anxiety levels, and range of movement scores among all three groups after the treatment (p <0.05). Comparing between the groups, the activities of daily living, disability, and depression levels were found more effective in the MT groups (p<0.05). When increase in range of movement, muscle length, and anxiety levels were evaluated after the treatment, it was found that the KT and MT groups did not have superiority to each other (p> 0.05). Yet, KT and MT groups were more effective than the CPT group (p<0.05). As a result, MT program was found to be more effective on pain, disability, activities of daily living and depression levels after 3 weeks of treatment; whereas, MT and KT programs did not have superiority over muscle length, range of motion limitation and anxiety levels. In our study, it was concluded that MT applications with the CPT program would be more effective in patients with lumbar disc herniation.