Effects of Trunk Stabilization with Taping Brace on Muscle Activity, Gait Parameters, Pain, and Function During Lumbar Impact

Purpose This study investigated the effects of a taping brace with a double siliconeband fixation structure on trunk muscle activity, stride length, pain, and user satisfaction during sudden lumbar impact. Methods Twenty healthy adults participated in the study. Each participant was evaluated under three conditions: no brace, conventional brace, and taping brace. Stride length was measured using a threedimensional motion analysis system. Surface electromyography was used to assess the muscle activity of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, erector spinae, and multifidus. Following a sudden lumbar impact induced by a freefalling ball, pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and subjective satisfaction was evaluated using a questionnaire. Results Stride length significantly increased with the taping brace (127.62±11.78 cm) compared with the nobrace condition (122.76±12.91 cm) and conventional brace condition (125.59±12.03 cm) (p<.001). The mean and peak muscle activity of the erector spinae and the peak activity of the external oblique were significantly lower with the taping brace than under the other conditions (p<.05). VAS scores differed significantly among the three conditions (p<.001), and the taping brace showed a significantly lower score than the nobrace condition (p=.012). Overall satisfaction was also significantly higher with the taping brace than with the conventional brace (p=.012). Conclusion The taping brace increased stride length and reduced the activity of selected trunk muscles and subjective pain during sudden lumbar impact. It also improved user satisfaction; however, the observed reduction in muscle activity should not be interpreted as direct evidence of increased trunk or spinal mechanical stability.