Abstract
Objective: Osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) are common and present a significant burden to patients and healthcare services. Poor posture can increase vertebral pressure, pain and the risk of further fractures. This study aimed to investigate the effects of postural taping on pain, function and quality of life when used in addition to usual care.
Design: A randomised controlled feasibility trial.
Participants: Men and women with at least one clinically diagnosed painful OVF.
Intervention: Participants were randomly allocated to use adhesive postural taping devices at home for four weeks or to continue with usual care.
Main Outcome Measures: Outcomes assessed at baseline and four weeks included pain at rest and on movement (visual analogue scales - VAS), and function and quality of life (Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis - QUALEFFO). Health resource use and acceptability were explored using a specifically designed questionnaire.
Results: 24 participants completed the trial (taping n=13, control n=11). Groups were comparable in age, although the control group contained more men (n=3 versus n=0) and scored slightly lower on most outcome measures at baseline. Descriptive analysis favoured the taping group for most outcome measures. Effect sizes were small to medium (0.37, 0.45 and 0.66 for VAS rest, VAS movement and QUALEFFO respectively).
Conclusions: The taping device demonstrated potential to improve pain and function. However the findings need to be replicated in an appropriately powered study. The study procedures were largely acceptable. A more extensive pilot trial is recommended prior to a definitive trial.
Design: A randomised controlled feasibility trial.
Participants: Men and women with at least one clinically diagnosed painful OVF.
Intervention: Participants were randomly allocated to use adhesive postural taping devices at home for four weeks or to continue with usual care.
Main Outcome Measures: Outcomes assessed at baseline and four weeks included pain at rest and on movement (visual analogue scales - VAS), and function and quality of life (Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis - QUALEFFO). Health resource use and acceptability were explored using a specifically designed questionnaire.
Results: 24 participants completed the trial (taping n=13, control n=11). Groups were comparable in age, although the control group contained more men (n=3 versus n=0) and scored slightly lower on most outcome measures at baseline. Descriptive analysis favoured the taping group for most outcome measures. Effect sizes were small to medium (0.37, 0.45 and 0.66 for VAS rest, VAS movement and QUALEFFO respectively).
Conclusions: The taping device demonstrated potential to improve pain and function. However the findings need to be replicated in an appropriately powered study. The study procedures were largely acceptable. A more extensive pilot trial is recommended prior to a definitive trial.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 345-352 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Musculoskeletal Care |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 28 May 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2018 |
Keywords
- orthotic tape
- osteoporosis
- pain
- spinal fractures