The Effect of Kinesiotape on Unilateral Sciatica

Abstract
Background: Kinesio Taping is a therapeutic tool used for treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. However, there is little scientific evidence that describes its clinical efficacy.
Aim of Study: To investigate the effect of KT on radicular pain, sciatic nerve mobility, and functional disability in patients with unilateral sciatica.
Methods: This study was conducted from July 2017 to February 2018 on thirty patients (11 females, 19 males) with unilateral sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Their age ranged from 30-40 years. All patients were referred by orthopedic surgeons who are responsible for diagnosis based on clinical and radiological examination. All patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups: Group (A) included 15 patients received Kinesio tape (KT) plus neural mobiliza-tion, group (B) included 15 patients received neural mobili-zation only, for 2 sessions per week for 3 weeks.
Methods: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess radicular pain. Universal goniometer was used to assess sciatic nerve mobility via range of motion of hip flexion testing. Oswestry disability questionnaire (ODI) was used to assess Functional status.
Results: Showed that both groups had improvement of the radicular pain (p=0.001 *), sciatic nerve mobility (p-value =0.0001*), and functional disability (p-value=0.0001 *). To favor of KT group except in sciatic nerve mobility was insignificant between groups.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that KT added to neural mobilization are effective treatment for unilateral sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation.