title: Effect of taping on spinal pain and disability: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Taping is a widely used therapeutic tool for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, nevertheless its effectiveness is still uncertain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to conduct a current review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the effects of elastic and nonelastic taping on spinal pain and disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PEDro, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched.
  
  
  METHODS
  All published RCTs on symptomatic adults with a diagnosis of specific or nonspecific spinal pain, myofascial pain syndrome, or whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) were considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two reviewers independently selected the studies and extracted the results. The quality of individual studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, and the evidence was assessed using GRADE criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight RCTs were included. Meta-analysis of 4 RCTs on low back pain demonstrated that elastic taping does not significantly reduce pain or disability immediately posttreatment, with a standardized mean difference of -0.31 (95% confidence interval=-0.64, 0.02) and -0.23 (95% confidence interval=-0.49, 0.03), respectively. Results from single trials indicated that both elastic and nonelastic taping are not better than placebo or no treatment on spinal disability. Positive results were found only for elastic taping and only for short-term pain reduction in WAD or specific neck pain. Generally, the effect sizes were very small or not clinically relevant, and all results were supported by low-quality evidence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The paucity of studies does not permit us to draw any final conclusions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although different types of taping were investigated, the results of this systematic review did not show any firm support for their effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: C. Vanti, PT, MSc, OMT, Department of Biomedical and Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vanti
authors.affiliation: L. Bertozzi, PT, MSc, Department of Biomedical and Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bertozzi
authors.affiliation: I. Gardenghi, PT, Department of Biomedical and Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gardenghi
authors.affiliation: F. Turoni, PT, Department of Biomedical and Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turoni
authors.affiliation: A.A. Guccione, PT, PhD, DPT, FAPTA, Department of Rehabilitation Science, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Guccione
authors.affiliation: P. Pillastrini, PT, MSc, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Albertoni, 15 Bologna 40138, Italy. paolo.pillastrini@unibo.it.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pillastrini
mesh_terms: D055052:Athletic Tape; D006801:Humans; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000628:therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000628:therapy*