Background: There are scarce scientific evidences to support the use of adhesive elastic tape (AET). Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of AET on active thoraco-lumbar range of motions (AROM) in healthy adults. Methods: The study included 30 volunteers. AET was applied over sacro-spinal muscles by standard instructions. Skin temperature and AROM of thoraco-lumbar spine in all directions was measured, before AET application, and 20 minutes and 24 hours after application. Obtained results were compared using one-way analysis of variance for repeated measurements. Results: Flexion statistically significant increased between the first and second measurement in average 0.7 cm and the first and the third measurement in average by 0.6 cm, so as lateral flexion between the second and third measurements in the right direction in average of 0.7 cm. Conversely, right and left rotation decreased in average 1.0 cm and 1.1 cm respectively. Conclusions: Standard application of AET can increase AROM of thoraco-lumbar spine in sagittal and frontal plane and simultaneously reduce AROM in horizontal plane.
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