Comparison of the Effects of Kinesio Taping and Foam Roller Exercises in Individuals with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain.

Background/Objectives: Non-specific chronic low back pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder that impairs flexibility, sleep quality, functional capacity, and quality of life. Conservative treatments such as Kinesio taping and foam roller exercises are widely used, yet comparative evidence remains limited. This study aimed to compare their effects on pain, disability, flexibility, sleep quality, and kinesiophobia in individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain. Methods: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to Kinesio taping or foam roller groups. The Kinesio taping group received lumbar taping twice weekly, while the foam roller group performed foam roller exercises for 5 min per session over a 6-week intervention period. Outcomes included the Visual Analogue Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, Pressure Pain Threshold, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Schober Test, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, and Fingertip-to-Floor Distance. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in pain intensity, disability, pressure pain threshold, and flexibility (p < 0.001). Sleep quality (p = 0.012) and kinesiophobia (p = 0.003) improved significantly only in the Kinesio taping group. Between-group comparisons showed lower post-treatment pain intensity in the foam roller group (p = 0.015) and lower kinesiophobia in the Kinesio taping group (p = 0.009). The between-group mean difference in pain change was -0.86 cm (95% CI: -1.57 to -0.15). No significant between-group differences were observed for the other outcomes. Conclusions: Both interventions improved pain and physical outcomes, with different response patterns. Foam roller showed more favorable findings for pain intensity, whereas Kinesio taping showed more favorable findings for kinesiophobia, with no between-group difference in sleep quality.