Kinesio tape

Elastic Therapeutic Kinesio Taping (ETT or KT) has long become a therapeutic tool used to address symptoms in musculoskeletal, neurological and lymphatic conditions. A scoping review of studies was conducted to determine if ETT/KT has the potential to reduce post-surgical morbidity, trismus, oedema, trauma, pain and TMJ dysfunction in the dental and ENT clinics.
Poster presented at the Conference: ETTforSLP From Research to Clinic: International Conference for Speech Language Therapists about Elastic Therapeutic Tape in Warsaw Poland 30-11-2019

We have not been paying enough attention to skin; our largest sensory organ system. A number of skin properties are not to be found in current medical text books. Could knowledge of cells changing shape, Cutaneous Functional Units, organ-zones, Skin Tension lines be important? Does it help the understanding how pain is influenced by using elastic tape therapeutically? The literature review conducted found that many variables make interpreting studies about Kinesiology taping to address pain very challenging. Have we overrated the importance of Systematic Review's? Do we miss out on interesting new developments if we do not take all research into account? Is any study about Kinesiology Tape of any importance if the authors have not taken the skin into account? Outcomes of case reports and studies about the effects of skin stretch by means of tape can be of great importance to clinicians. Not knowing the exact process, whereby we address pain with a skin stimulus such as tape, should not be holding us back. Skin is our way in, and our best guide. Our patients' brain knows if this tape application and stimulus is good yes or no. It is Evidence Based Practice with the patient actively participating.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Kinesio taping on severity of pain,
the power for taking hand, functional activity and we undertook a literature review to produce
evidence-based recommendation for the use of Kinesio tape in patients with lateral epicondylitis.
Methods: A literature search was done in google scholar, pubmed, science direct, proquest,
medline, advanced google and pedro database. The following keywords were used: Kinesio tape,
elastic tape, Taping technique، Pain, Grip strength, Lateral epicondylitis, and tennis elbow. The
inclusion criteria were English and Persian articles which were published from 2000 to 2013 and
articles which were case report were excluded.
Results: 26 articles including randomized clinical trial, cohort study, case-control study and trial
which included healthy population, patients, male and female at any age range were extracted.
11 articles had the inclusion criteria.
Conclusion: Although Taping technique seems to an impressive effect on wrist extension، grip
strength، function and pain in individuals with lateral epicondylitis, strong evidence to identify
the underlying mechanisms is still not available.

Can we ask the hairdresser or use Elastic therapeutic Tape when considering addressing problems through the skin of the scalp? Yes, we can… but with sound reasoning and good care. Sensory information given to the skin of the scalp can be used to influence pain or range of motion. Various tape applications and specific hair styling tips (based on research conducted by colleagues Diane Jacobs and Prof. Tsutomu Fukui), have the potential to be a possible effective assist in therapy.

Could use of the mini-ER tape for upper limb external rotation activate UE rotation, stimulate diaphragmatic breathing and extension of the trunk be current best practice? This mini-ER tape application is much smaller than the current technique curling tape around the whole upper arm to facilitate external rotation.Knowing that only a small area of skin needs to be handled (somewhere around the elbow joint, or higher up on the upper arm) to facilitate extension of the trunk as described by the Bobath's I started using much smaller and thinner pieces of tape covering the area my hand had given the stimulus to only. A number of colleagues have also thought of using the tape in this manner. The description for tape applications used in this same fashion are: memory tape or stimulus tape.

Objectives: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive brain damage that leads to movement and balance disorders. One of the new rehabilitation approaches for such children is Kinesio taping. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of lower limbs kinesio taping on static and dynamic balance in children with CP. Methods: In this pilot randomized clinical trial, 30 children with CP were randomly classified into two control and intervention groups each containing 15 subjects. In the intervention group, Kinesio tape was applied with 30% tension on anterior muscles of lower limbs. However, in the control group, Kinesio tape was used just in a sham mode. In both groups, Kinesio tape was used along with occupational therapy interventions for two weeks. Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and forward Functional Reach (FR) tests were used before, two days, and two weeks after intervention. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to study the intervention effects, within-group data were analyzed with the paired t-test, and between-group effects were assessed using independent t-test. Results: Short term results (two days after intervention) indicated no significant difference between the scores of BBS (P=0.7) and FR (P=0.08) in the intervention group, and BBS (P= 0.8) and FR (P=0.1) in the control group. Long term results indicated a significant change in BBS (P<0.001) and FR (P<0.001) in the intervention group, however, no significant changes were observed in FR (P=0.1) and BBS (P=0.8) in the control groups. Discussion: Application of Kinesio tape on lower limbs of children with CP improved their balance. Therefore, this method can be used in rehabilitation clinics for functional improvement of children with Cerebral Palsy.

Objective: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common disorders of the knee joint. It is characterized by pain, reduced proprioception, and altered pattern of vastus muscle activation, which effectively maintain the balance needed for performing daily living activities such as walking and running. One treatment method that can reduce pain and improve balance in people with PFPS is Kinesiology Taping (KT). Considering the physiological and anatomical differences in the knee structure of men and women and the importance of studying the effect of KT on the dynamic balance of men with PFPS, this study aims to compare the effect of KT on dynamic balance and pain of men and women with unilateral PFPS. Materials & Methods: This is a quasi-experimental and non-randomized clinical trial. The participants were 30 males and 31 females aged 18-40 years suffering from unilateral PFPS. They were recruited using a convenience sampling method. First, the subjects performed the Y-...

Purpose: Stroke is one of leading causes of neuromuscular disorders that affects the patients’
abilities during standing and walking. Various treatments have been used to restore and improve
patients’ stability and reduce falling risks. This study aimed to assess the effect of Kinesio taping
on dynamic balance and spasticity in subjects with stroke disorder.
Methods: This project was single blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 22 stroke patients
(11 patients were diagnosed with right-sided and 11 patients with left-sided hemiplegia) were
recruited in this study. Both groups received Kinesio taping intervention. Kinesio Tex Tape was
directly applied to the skin of calf muscles and kept there for 1 hour. Time up and go (TUG) test
was used to assess dynamic postural control and modified modified Ashworth Scale to evaluate
the degree of spasticity of plantar flexor muscles. The subjects’ static stability was evaluated
based on sways of centre of pressure (CoP) on a force plate. The statistical analysis was done by
performing repeated measure of analysis of variance with Minitab software (v. 17).
Results: There was a statistically significant reduction of the spasticity and Time up and go test
scores in the pre-taped, taped and retest conditions (P<0.05). There was a significant difference
between two groups with regard to TUG test scores (P=0.013), but not spasticity scores
(P=0.301). No differences were observed in CoP excursions between the test conditions for both
left and right sides (P=0.415).
Conclusion: These results suggest that ankle taping is useful in immediate stabilization of body
posture and reduction of spasticity. Also the results of this study showed that subjects with leftsided
hemiplegia have relevant balance disorders and taping better improve dynamic postural
control in these patients.

Background and Aims Landing is a typical sports motion that can create impact force 2-12 times of body weight, and finally, it's one of the main reasons for non-contact injuries in ankle ligaments. Specialized. The usual effects of Kinesio tape include increasing proprioception, health direction of joints, reducing pain, and raising pressure on nervous tissue. The study aimed to investigate the effect of Kinesio taping on ankle joint kinematics during landing on stiff and soft surfaces in ankle sprain and healthy persons. Methods The method of the present study was quasi-experimental with a two-group design in control groups (without ankle sprain) and experimental (with an ankle sprain). A total of 30 male students of the Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman were purposefully and accessibly selected and divided into two groups with (15 students) and without ankle sprains (15 students). Then, they performed both landing operations on stable and unstable surfaces, with and without Kinesio tape. Maximum dorsi and plantar flexion, supination, pronation and maximum ankle angular velocity parameters were recorded by a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance at the significant level of 0.05. Results There was no significant reduction in plantar flexion of the ankle in healthy and twisted individuals while landing on stable and unstable surfaces with and without Kinesio tape (P≤0.07), but there was a significant reduction in the dorsiflexion in both groups(P≤0.001). On the other hand, there was no significant decrease in pronation (P≤0.66), but there was a significant decrease in foot supination (P≤0.001). Conclusion Generally, Kinesio tape in recovery ankle movement is offered to persons for ankle sprain. Thus recommendation landing exercises fare with more flexion angle and less knee joint valgus and more dorsiflexion angle at ankle joint and preferable on the unstable surfaces.

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) refers to the skeletal muscle pain that follows the novel eccentric exercise. Although this condition is self-limiting, it can temporarily affect the function and interrupt training. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Kinesio tape on pain intensity, range of motion, and function during delayed onset muscle soreness in the amateur hamstring muscles. Materials and Methods: This study is a clinical trial conducted on 32 untrained individuals with a Mean±SD age of 24.16±3.049 years. At first, the participants were assessed with an active knee extension range of motion, distance in triple hop test, pressure-induced pain, and overall pain before Kinesio tape intervention, and then Kinesio tape intervention was applied to the hamstrings from origin to insertion (proximal to distal) in a Y shape with a tension of approximately 30%. The study variables were evaluated again 24, 48, and 72 hours after the intervention (4 times totally) Results: Kinesio tape could significantly reduce pain intensity 24 hours and 48 hours after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). Also, Kinesio tape intervention increases the range of motion of active knee extension in the first 24 hours compared to before the intervention (P=0.0.4). Besides, the effect of using Kinesio tape intervention on the variable of the triple hop test was significant 24 and 48 hours after the intervention compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). Kinesio tape increase in the threshold of compressive pain after the intervention was not significantly different from before the intervention (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to the present study results, the Kinesio tape possibly reduced DOMS-induced parameters like pain, range of motion limitations, and function, but it had no significant advantage in other DOMS-induced parameters like pressure pain threshold. Kinesio tape application before exercise or competition should be considered by exercise trainers and athletes. Future studies may evaluate different strategies or therapeutic applications to prevent and manage DOMS.

Objectives:This study was carried out to compare the efficacy of mobilization, Kinesio tape [KT], and classic treatmentmethods in patients with neck pain.Methods:Sixty patients with neck pain were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups with 20 patients ineach, for classic therapy, classic therapy plus mobilization, and classic therapy plus KT administered respectively tothe first, second, and third groups. Pain levels and effects of the pain on daily life were assessed, respectively, with avisual analog scale and neck disability index [NDI].Results:Following the treatment, decreases were observed in pain and NDI scores in all three groups [P<0.001]. However,no significant difference was observed in the inter-group comparison [P>0.05]. While all three groups individually re-sponded significantly to treatment, none of the groups superseded the others.Conclusions:The results of this study suggest that KT and mobilization may be helpful as an alternative treatment in neckpain. Multi-centered studies in which the efficacy of KT and mobilization can be compared more objectively would bebeneficial.K: Neck pain, Kinesio tape, mobilization

Objective: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common disorders of the knee joint. It is characterized by pain, reduced proprioception, and altered pattern of vastus muscle activation, which effectively maintain the balance needed for performing daily living activities such as walking and running. One treatment method that can reduce pain and improve balance in people with PFPS is Kinesiology Taping (KT). Considering the physiological and anatomical differences in the knee structure of men and women and the importance of studying the effect of KT on the dynamic balance of men with PFPS, this study aims to compare the effect of KT on dynamic balance and pain of men and women with unilateral PFPS.
Materials & Methods: This is a quasi-experimental and non-randomized clinical trial. The participants were 30 males and 31 females aged 18-40 years suffering from unilateral PFPS. They were recruited using a convenience sampling method. First, the subjects performed the Y-balance test three times in each of the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. The maximum score obtained from the three repetitions in each direction was divided by the limb length and recorded in percentage as a dynamic balance score. After 5 minutes of rest and performing initial tests, the subjects performed the intervention. In this stage, KT with a tension equal to 50%-75% of its initial length was applied on the patella of the involved limb to cause medial glide. The effectiveness of KT was examined under a single-leg squat-test. For this purpose, all subjects performed unilateral squatting on their affected leg for 10 seconds with 45 degrees of knee flexion before and after KT, while their pain level was recorded using the visual analog scale. In case of a 50% reduction in pain, the subjects were allowed to enter the final stage (performing the Y-balance test); otherwise, patellar taping was repeated to obtain the appropriate pain reduction.
Results: Within-group comparison of balance parameters before and after KT using the paired t-test showed an increase in the reach distance at three directions in the Y-balance test, revealing a significant improvement in the dynamic balance following KT (P<0.05). According to the independent t-test results, there was no significant difference in balance parameters between males and females before and after the intervention (P>0.05). Moreover, the pain was significantly reduced in both genders after KT (P<0.05), but its difference between men and women was not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion: KT is an appropriate therapeutic intervention for improving dynamic balance and reducing pain in people with PFPS. It seems that KT has the same effect on dynamic balance and pain of women and men with PFPS.

According to Sobrino i " any types of dance, be it classical ballet, contemporary, sport or folk dance, implies physical activity which may lead to dance-related injuries and the frequency of these injuries is very high. According to a 10-year retrospective research there have been 574 injuries per 520 dancer-years, which means that every dancer gets injured at least once a year ". Dance related Injuries and overuse that are frequent in dancers are: patellofemoral pain syndrome, anterior cruciate ligament injury, аchilles tendinopathy, medial tibial stress syndrome, patellar tendinopathy, piriformis syndrome, plantar fasciitis and mechanical lower back pain. Training programs include exercises aimed at increasing the proprioceptive sensitivity, since the ability to maintain good static and dynamic balance is an extremely important professional quality developing in the process of ballet trainings. Interestingly Boonkerd (2016) iv informs us that: " Because of the similar ways of jumping in ballet soccer and rugby professionals tend to recommend using the same exercising programs when training ballet dancers. "  Literatuur research, outcomes of Systematic Review and authors comments.

Background and Purpose: Spastic cerebral palsy affects ankle joint function leading to a decrease of the gross motor functional abilities. The purpose of the study was to compare the Muscle inhibitory with Functional corrective Kinesio Taping applications on gross motor functional abilities of children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: Thirty-two children with spastic cerebral palsy were selected from the outpatient clinic of the faculty of Physical Therapy Cairo University. Muscle inhibitory and functional corrective Kinesio taping applications in addition to physical therapy program were applied for three successive months. Peabody Developmental Motor Scales was used to assess the gross motor functional abilities. Results: The study revealed that statistically and clinically there was no difference between both applications. Conclusion: Muscle inhibitory and Functional Corrective Kinesio Taping applications both can be used for increasing the gross motor functional abilities o...

Purpose: Stroke is one of leading causes of neuromuscular disorders that affects the patients’ abilities during standing and walking. Various treatments have been used to restore and improve patients’ stability and reduce falling risks. This study aimed to assess the effect of Kinesio taping on dynamic balance and spasticity in subjects with stroke disorder. Methods: This project was single blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 22 stroke patients (11 patients were diagnosed with right-sided and 11 patients with left-sided hemiplegia) were recruited in this study. Both groups received Kinesio taping intervention. Kinesio Tex Tape was directly applied to the skin of calf muscles and kept there for 1 hour. Time up and go (TUG) test was used to assess dynamic postural control and modified modified Ashworth Scale to evaluate the degree of spasticity of plantar flexor muscles. The subjects’ static stability was evaluated based on sways of centre of pressure (CoP) on a force plate....

The present study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of two types of Kinesio taping on the temporal and spatial variables of gait initiation in individuals with and without Functional Ankle Instability (FAI). Materials and Methods: Thirty semi-professional athletes (15 with and 15 without FAI [control]) were recruited for this study. The gait initiation task was examined before and after the two types of Kinesio taping on a force plate. Temporal (Reaction Phase [RP], Anticipatory Postural Adjustment Phase [APAP]), and spatial variables were recorded and compared between Groups, before and after the tape application. Results: The results of multiple repeated-measure analyses of variance showed no significant differences for "factor" and "Group by factor" interaction effects for any outcome measure (P>0.05). There were no significant differences for Group effects except for the APAP (F=10.27, P=0.003). The APAA was 71.95 ms longer in the FAI Group (476.95±15.87 ms) compared to the control Group (405.04±15.87 ms). Conclusion: Kinesio taping application does not influence any of the gait initiation parameters on the force plate. Participants with FAI demonstrated longer APAP which might be due to recurrent injury and instability during sports or physical activity.

Keloid is defined as excessive cell production resulting with abnormal wound healing. Pathogenesis is still not well under- stood. Nodules characterized benign fibrosis formation usually is located in chest, shoulder, neck and earlobe. Not only aesthetics concerns but also causes pain and irritation. Intralesional corticosteroids, topical applications, cryotherapy, surgery, laser therapy, and silicone sheeting are widely used options mentioned in the literature [1]. Clinically, keloids have been documented to be formed following an injury or inflammation of the skin and grow continuously over the years and they do not regress spontaneously [2,3]. This case study was planned to investigate the short term effects of kinesio- tap- ing in keloid treatment.