In individuals with transfemoral amputation (TFA), adaptations caused by prosthesis use may adversely affect contractile/noncontractile structures.
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the immediate effect of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) kinesiology taping (KT) on the tone and stiffness of the fascia, low back pain (LBP) and standing balance in individuals with TFA.
METHODS:
Syrian male participants with TFA were enrolled in the prospective, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Participants were divided into two groups: Experimental (EG with KT, 15) and Control (CG with sham KT, 14). A 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was performed, after which KT was applied. Measurements were taken at baseline, immediately after the 6MWT and 30 minutes after KT.
RESULTS:
Although pain decreased below baseline in both groups at 30 minutes post intervention ( 0.001), the rate of pain reduction was significantly higher in the EG ( 0.016). Anterior-posterior sway with eyes open improved significantly 30 minutes after KT application only in the EG ( 0.010). In the eyes closed condition, anterior-posterior and medio-lateral sway decreased significantly compared to baseline 30 minutes after taping in the EG ( 0.0100.032).
CONCLUSION:
KT can be used as an effective method to support standing balance and reduce LBP in individuals with TFA.
RougierPRBergeauJ. Biomechanical analysis of postural control of persons with transtibial or transfemoral amputation. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2009; 88(11): 896-903.
2.
PrinsenECNederhandMJRietmanJS. Adaptation strategies of the lower extremities of patients with a transtibial or transfemoral amputation during level walking: A systematic review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil [Internet]. 2011; 92(8): 1311-25. Available from: doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2011.01.017.
3.
DevanHHendrickPRibeiroDCA HaleLCarmanA. Asymmetrical movements of the lumbopelvic region: Is this a potential mechanism for low back pain in people with lower limb amputation? Med Hypotheses. 2014; 82(1): 77-85. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2013.11.012.
4.
KablanNAlacaNAtalayESTatarY. Immediate effect of stair exercise on stiffness, tone, and pressure pain threshold of thoracolumbar fascia in individuals with lower limb amputation: A preliminary report. Prosthetics Orthot Int. 2022; 46(4): 314-319. doi: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000120.
5.
DevanHCarmanAHendrickPHaleLRibeiroDC. Spinal, pelvic, and hip movement asymmetries in people with lower-limb amputation: Systematic review. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2015; 52(1): 1-19. doi: 10.1682/JRRD.2014.05.0135.
6.
SherkVDBembenMGBembenDA. Interlimb muscle and fat comparisons in persons with lower-limb amputation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010; 91(7): 1077-81. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.04.008.
7.
PauleyTDevlinMMadan-SharmaP. A single-blind, cross-over trial of hip abductor strength training to improve Timed Up & Go performance in patients with unilateral, transfemoral amputation. J Rehabil Med. 2014; 46(3): 264-70. doi: 10.2340/16501977-1270.
8.
ShojaeiIHendershotBDWolfEJBazrgariB. Persons with unilateral transfemoral amputation experience larger spinal loads during level-ground walking compared to able-bodied individuals. Clin Biomech Bristol Avon. 2016; 32: 157-63. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.11.018.
9.
TaghipourHMoharamzadYMafiAR, et al. Quality of life among veterans with war-related unilateral lower extremity amputation: a long-term survey in a prosthesis center in Iran. J Orthop Trauma. 2009; 23(7): 525-30. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0b013e3181a10241.
10.
HoheiselUTaguchiTTreedeR, et al. Nociceptive input from the rat thoracolumbar fascia to lumbar dorsal horn neurones. Eur J Pain. 2011; 15: 810-815.
11.
TesarzJHoheiselUWiedenhoferB, et al. Sensory innervation of the ¨thoracolumbar fascia in rats and humans. Neuroscience. 2011; 194: 302-308.
12.
BenjaminM. The fascia of the limbs and back–a review. J Anat. 2009; 2141-18.
13.
BarryCMKestellGGillanMHaberbergerRVGibbinsIL. Sensory nerve fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide in gastrocnemius, latissimus dorsi and erector spinae muscles and thoracolumbar fascia in mice. Neuroscience [Internet]. 2015; 291: 106-17. Available from: doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015;01.062.
14.
WilkeJSchleipRKlinglerWSteccoC. The lumbodorsal fascia as a potential source of low back pain: A narrative review. Biomed Res Int. 2017; 2017: 1-6.
15.
SanjanaFChaudhryHFindleyT. Effect of MELT method on thoracolumbar connective tissue? The full study. J Bodyw Mov Ther [Internet]. 2017; 21(1): 179-85. Available from: doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.05.010.
16.
SteccoLSteccoC. Fascial manipulation: Practical part. Piccin, editor. Padova. 2009.
17.
WuWTHongCZChouLW. The kinesio taping method for myofascial pain control. Evidence-based Complement Altern Med. 2015; 2015: 1-9. doi: 10.1155/2015/950519.
18.
KaseKWallisJKaseT. Clinical Thetapeutic Applications of the Kinesio Taping Method. Ken Ikai Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, 2nd edition. 2003.
19.
ToprakC; Ozer KayaD. Immediate effects of kinesio taping on pain and postural stability in patients with chronic low back pain. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2019; 23(1): 206-210.
20.
BernardelliRSScheerenEMFuentes FilhoAR, et al. Effects of Kinesio Taping on postural balance in patients with low back pain, a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2019; 23(3): 508-514.
21.
FaulFErdfelderELangAGBuchnerA. G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav Res Methods. 2007; 39(2): 175-91. doi: 10.3758/bf03193146.
22.
GaileyRSRoachKEApplegateEB, et al. The Amputee Mobility Predictor: An instrument to assess determinants of the lower-limb amputee’s ability to ambulate. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002; 83(5): 613-627. doi: 10.1053/apmr.2002.32309.
23.
RaghavDYadavJKalraS. Effect of thoraco-lumbar fascia kinesiotaping as a therapeutic intervention for pain and functional disability in non specific low back pain-A pilot study. Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Care. 2017; 4(1): 9-13. doi: 10.5958/2394-2800.2017.00003.7.
24.
WuZZhuYXuWLiangJGuanYXuX. Analysis of biomechanical properties of the lumbar extensor myofascia in elderly patients with chronic low back pain and that in healthy people. Biomed Res Int. 2020; 18: 7649157.
25.
ErtürkGGündayÇEvrendilekHYeldanİ. Measurement Methods of Balance Among Above-Knee Amputees: A Literature Review. J Health Pro Res. 2021; 3(3): 151-161.
26.
RosenthalR. Parametric measures of effect size. In CooperH and HedgesLV, (Eds.). The handbook of research synthesis. New York: Russell Sage Foundation. 1994; 231-244.
27.
HartsockLO’FarrellDSeaberA, et al. Effect of increased compartment pressure on the microcirculation of skeletal muscle. Microsurgery. 1998; 18: 67-71.
28.
TuckerAK. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the leg. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2010; 3: 32-37. doi: 10.1007/s12178-010-9065-4.
29.
WitvrouwEDanneelsLAsselmanP, et al. Muscle flexibility as a risk factor for developing muscle injuries in male professional soccer players: A prospective study. Am J Sports Med. 2003; 31(1): 41-46. doi: 10.1177/03635465030310011801.
30.
HulstMVDVollenbroek-HuttenMMRietmanJS, et al. Back muscle activation patterns in chronic low back pain during walking? A “Guarding” Hypothesis. Clin J Pain. 2010; 26(1): 30-7.
31.
AlacaNKablanN. Acute effects of cold pack for different periods on the biomechanical properties of the rectus femoris muscle. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 2021; 27(5).
32.
HeerkensYFWoittiezRDHuijingPA, et al. Passive resistance of the human knee: The effect of immobilization. J Biomed Eng. 1986; 8(2): 95-104.
33.
LakieMRobsonLG. Thixotropic changes in human muscle stiffness and the effects of fatigue. Q J Exp Physiol. 1988; 73(5): 487-500.
34.
BednarDAOrrFWSimonGT. Observations on the pathomorphology of the thoracolumbar fascia in chronic mechanical back pain: A microscopic study. Spine. 1995; 20: 1161-1164.
35.
Butowicz CourtneyMAcasio JulianC. Trunk muscle activation patterns during walking among persons with lower limb loss: Influences of walking speed. Res Dev Sect. Published online. 2018; doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2018.03.006.
36.
KachanathuSJAlenaziAMSeifHEHafezARAlroumimMA. Comparison between kinesio taping and a traditional physical therapy program in treatment of nonspecific low back pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2014; 26(8): 1185-1188.
37.
MostafavifarMWertzJBorchersJ. A systematic review of the effectiveness of kinesio taping for musculoskeletal injury. Physician and Sports Med. 2012; 40(4): 33-40.
38.
MacgregorKGerlachSMellorR, et al. Cutaneous stimulation from patella tape causes a differential increase in vasti muscle activity in people with patellofemoral pain. J Orthopaed Res. 2005; 23: 351-358.
39.
BaeSHLeeJHOhKAKimKY. The effects of kinesiotaping on potential in chronic low back pain patients anticipatory postural control and cerebral cortex. J Phys Ther Sci. 2013; 25(11): 1367-1371.
40.
RiemannBLLephartSM. The sensorimotor system, part II: the role of proprioception in motor control and functional joint stability. J Athl Train. 2002; 37: 80-84.
41.
JassiFJDel AntônioTMoraesRGeorgeSZChavesTC. 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 randomized clinical trial protocol. Physiotherapy. 2017; 103(2): 154-159.
42.
SivapuratharasuBBullAMMcGregorAH. Understanding low back pain in traumatic lower limb amputees: a systematic review. Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation. 2019; 1(1–2): 100007.
