<![CDATA[Background Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) accounts for the majority of the global disease burden and stands as the leading cause of years lived with disability, necessitating urgent yet optimized rehabilitation strategies. Given the clinical controversy and varying evidence regarding whether active exercise therapy or passive Kinesio Taping provides superior outcomes, a direct comparative synthesis is highly critical. This research aims to systematically discover, summarize, and compare the distinct impacts of structured exercise therapy and KT on pain mitigation and functional recovery in adult NSLBP populations. Methods: Adhering to PRISMA reporting protocols, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2016 and 2025were systematically retrieved from PubMed and Scopus databases, initially yielding 124 total citations before screening. The selection was anchored on the PICO framework: Individuals diagnosed with NSLBP; structured exercise protocols; Kinesio Taping implementation; and validated pain scale and functional disability indexes. Results: After rigorous screening and exclusion of irrelevant or low-quality papers based on the predefined criteria, a final synthesis of five randomized controlled trials (mean PEDro score 7.2/10) was analyzed. The narrative synthesis demonstrates that exercise therapy and Kinesio Taping serve complementary roles in rehabilitation. Exercise therapy is identified as the gold standard for long-term functional improvement and recurrence prevention. Meanwhile, Kinesio Taping provides significant immediate pain relief and proprioceptive stimulation, which effectively facilitates earlier participation in active exercise programs, particularly during the acute phase. Conclusion: Exercise Therapy and Kinesio Taping are not antagonistic but complementary. Exercise therapy is the gold standard for long-term rehabilitation and prevention of recurrence. Kinesio taping may provide immediate pain relief and proprioceptive stimulation that facilitates early participation in active exercise.]]>
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