Use of a non-medicated tape in non-specific low back pain: A single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Umberto Lavagnolo; Matteo Ricci; Mattia Cason; Eugenio Vecchini; Tommaso Maluta; Chiara Bertinato; Sabrina Sartori

doi:10.23750/abm.2026.18068

Use of a non-medicated tape in non-specific low back pain: A single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Authors

Umberto Lavagnolo Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7614-812X
Matteo Ricci Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
Mattia Cason Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
Eugenio Vecchini Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
Tommaso Maluta Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
Chiara Bertinato Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
Sabrina Sartori Orthopedics and Traumatology Unit, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy

Keywords:

lumbar, patch, LBP, RMDQ, disability

Abstract

Background and aim: Low back pain (LBP) is prevalent and often non-specific disease. Kinesiology taping shows mixed evidence, and far-infrared (FIR)–reflecting tapes are promising. To evaluate the efficacy of an FIR-reflecting tape (FT) versus standard kinesiology tape (KT) and placebo for chronic non-specific LBP.

Methods: A single-blind trias was conducted evaluating adults patients (aged 30–60 years) with chronic LBP >6 months, NRS 6–10, no radiculopathy or red flags; n=240 randomized (FT, n=80; KT, n=80; placebo, n=80). Tapes were applied to the lumbar region for two 5-day applications separated by a 3-day interval (total 14 days). Outcomes at T0, T1 (day 5), T2 (day 8), and T3 (day 14) included pain (NRS), disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, RMDQ), and lumbar range of motion (ROM). Non-parametric analyses (Shapiro–Wilk; Kruskal–Wallis; Friedman) with α=0.05.

Results: All participants completed the protocol with no adverse events. Groups were comparable at baseline. Between-group differences favored FT at all post-baseline time points for NRS, RMDQ, and ROM (p<0.05). FT reduced NRS from 8.09±0.89 to 2.19±0.92 at T3 (p<0.001), versus KT 8.15±0.84→4.00±1.21 (p<0.01) and placebo 7.95±0.83→6.54±1.40 (p<0.05). RMDQ improved to 12.13±2.72 with FT (p<0.001) vs 15.26±2.75 (KT, p<0.01) and 18.33±2.75 (placebo, ns). ROM gains were greatest with FT (p<0.001).

Conclusions: FT tape produced superior pain relief, disability reduction, and mobility gains over 14 days compared with standard kinesiology and placebo tapes. FT tape offers a safe, drug-free adjunct to outpatient LBP care, potentially accelerating pain reduction and functional recovery.

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