Effects of kinesio taping on pain, balance, and disability after kyphoplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Kinesio taping on pain, balance, and disability in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures who underwent kyphoplasty. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five patients who underwent kyphoplasty were randomized into active (n = 26) and sham (n = 29) Kinesio taping groups. After discontinuations, 40 participants completed the study. Pain, balance, and disability were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Quebec Low Back Pain Disability Scale (QLBPDS), respectively. Assessments were performed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at the end of week 6. Results: Pain, balance, and disability scores changed over time in both groups. Significant pain reduction was observed only in the active Kinesio taping group, while balance improved significantly in both groups. Disability scores decreased more in the active Kinesio taping group, with a mean reduction of 18.1 points, compared with an 8.3-point reduction in the sham group at the end of week 6. No differences were found between groups in pain or balance changes over time. Conclusion: Kinesio taping may improve functional disability in the short term after kyphoplasty. However, its effects on pain and balance do not appear to be superior to placebo.