Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Purpose
This study investigated and compared the effects of biomechanical tape; neurophysiological tape, and elastic adhesive bandage on the measurement of postural kyphosis, to determine the best taping option to use as an adjunct treatment for patients with pain and dysfunction associated with an increased postural kyphosis.
Method
Forty-five participants were divided into three groups of fifteen. Each group received a different therapeutic tape applied using a scapular taping technique. Group 1 received neurophysiological tape, group 2 biomechanical tape, and group three elastic adhesive bandage (EAB). At the first visit, prior to the application of tape, objective measurements of the participants degree of thoracic kyphosis was recorded using a flexicurve ruler, and pectoralis minor muscle length was measured using a measuring tape. The participants were required to wear the tape for five days, subsequently at the second visit the tape was removed, and data was recorded again.
Results
With regards to the analysis of the results, intra-group analysis of the degree of thoracic kyphosis showed statistically significant improvement in both the neurophysiological (p=009) and biomechanical (p=0.004) groups, with no improvement in the EAB (p=0.929) group. Intra-group analysis of the right pectoralis minor muscle length showed improvement in both the neurophysiological (p=0.014) and biomechanical (p=0.011) groups, with no improvement in the EAB (p=0.103) group. The left pectoralis minor muscle length also showed improvement in both the neurophysiological (p=0.002) and biomechanical (p=0.004) groups, with no improvement in the EAB (p=0.776) group.
Inter-group analysis showed no differences between the groups for either of the objective measurements...