Comparative Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping and Pelvic Support Belts for Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder during pregnancy, affecting up to 70% of women and significantly impairing mobility, daily function, and quality of life. Conservative interventions such as Kinesio Taping (KT) and Pelvic Support Belts (PSB) are widely used, but their relative effectiveness remains unclear, particularly in South Asian populations where maternal health resources are limited. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of KT and PSB on pain reduction and functional mobility in pregnant women with PGP. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Therapy Plus Clinic, Lahore, Pakistan, from December 2020 to June 2021. Sixty pregnant women aged 20–40 years with clinically diagnosed PGP were randomly allocated to KT (n = 30) or PSB (n = 30). Pain was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and mobility using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test at baseline and after a four-week intervention. Data were analyzed with independent and paired t-tests, and significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements (p < 0.001). KT reduced pain by 4.4 points versus 3.0 with PSB (p = 0.02) and improved mobility by 4.7 seconds versus 2.7 with PSB (p = 0.03). Conclusion: KT was more effective than PSB in reducing pain and enhancing mobility, supporting its integration into antenatal physiotherapy practice as a preferred conservative intervention.