Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether the combination of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) and Kinesio® taping or Dynamic® taping was an effective treatment protocol in the management of chronic, non-specific thoracic pain.
Method: Thirty participants, with non-specific thoracic spine pain, between the ages of 18 and 40 years were recruited for the research study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, so that each group comprised 15 participants. Group 1 was treated with SMT and Kinesio® tape while Group 2 was treated with SMT and Dynamic® tape. Both tapes were applied to the participants’ thoracic region.
Procedure: A total of seven consultations took place over three weeks. Subjective readings were taken using a thoracic spine questionnaire to assess the participants’ levels of pain and disability. Objective readings were taken using the Basic Range of Motion (BROM) tool to measure the movement in the thoracic spine. All data recorded was gathered under the supervision of the researcher and analysed by a statistician at the University of Johannesburg.
Results: Although both groups showed improvements after the trial period had come to an end, the groups did not show improvements to the same extent. Group 1 had more improvement in the general levels of disability questions found in the thoracic pain questionnaire, while group 2 had more improvement in the general levels of pain questions. Group 1 showed more statistically significant changes in range of motion. Thus, group 1 showed a higher percentage in improved of range of motion but group 2 demonstrated a bigger increase in degrees of movement, indicating that the participants...