Effect of Somatosensory Motor Control With and Without Kinesio Tape in Patients With Sciatica

Overview

Sciatica can be defined as a radicular pain that runs through the sciatic nerve from the lower back to the lower limbs and also may be associated with weakness or numbness in the muscles. These symptoms may affect proprioception, dynamic balance and functional mobility, which result in limitations of activity and disability. Training to improve somatosensory motor control has been shown to be effective in improving coordination and postural stability and Kinesio taping has the potential to increase proprioceptive input, decrease pain and aid functional recovery.

To evaluate the additional effects of kinesio taping when added to somatosensory motor control training on pain, active range of motion of the lumbar spine, proprioceptive related postural control, dynamic balance and functional disability in people with discogenic sciatica. The study was an accessor-blinded randomized controlled trial approved by the ethical council of Riphah College of Rehabilitation \& Allied Health Sciences and was carried out for 11 months in 4 hospitals at Sialkot. 58 Participants were randomized; among which 54 participants completed the intervention and were included in per-protocol analysis with 27 participants in each group. During the 6-week intervention period, Group A was administered with somatosensory motor control training, conventional therapy, and Kinesio taping; while Group B was administered with the same intervention with the exception of Kinesio taping. The following outcome measures were used: Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, Modified Schober Test, Y-Balance Test, Romberg Test, and Tandem Stand Test. Data was analyzed in SPSS version 25 with statistical significance being considered as p\<0.05.