Effects of kinesiotape on pain, range of motion, and functional status in patients with osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Effectiveness of Kinesio taping without physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common musculoskeletal disorder causing pain and stiffness. Kinesio tape (KT) is a flexible tape used for various musculoskeletal conditions, including KOA. This study systematically evaluates the effectiveness of KT without conventional physical therapy for KOA. A comprehensive search was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to March 2025 for randomized trials evaluating KT without physical therapy for KOA (Prospero: CRD42024615432). The risk of bias was assessed using the ROB-2 tool, and the data analysis was conducted using Review Manager V5.4. A total of 16 randomized trials were included. KT significantly reduced the post-treatment pain at rest (MD: -0.75, 95% CI: -1.15, -0.34) and during movement (MD: -0.92, 95% CI: -1.65, -0.20) compared to sham KT. However, KT did not demonstrate a significant effect on long-term pain reduction. Additionally, KT significantly improved the WOMAC total score (MD: -0.60, 95% CI: -1.19, -0.01) and increased knee flexion range of motion (FROM) (MD: 6.04, 95% CI: 3.13, 8.96). However, KT showed no significant effect on knee extension range of motion (MD: -0.23, 95% CI: -1.70, 1.25). No risk of publication bias observed. KT reduces pain, improves function, and enhances knee FROM in KOA patients even without physical therapy. However, its long-term effects remain uncertain. Future studies should evaluate the long-term application of KT and its integration with other KOA management strategies. Prospero ID CRD42024615432.

Impact of Proprioceptive Exercises on Pain, Balance, and Fall Risk in the Elderly With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Osteoarthritis (OA), especially in the hips and knees, significantly impairs function and independence in older adults. Proprioceptive exercises have emerged as a beneficial intervention for managing knee OA. These exercises, which enhance proprioceptive feedback from mechanoreceptors in joints, muscles, tendons, and skin, are crucial for improving motor control and balance and have shown effectiveness in reducing symptoms despite limited evidence. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of proprioceptive exercises compared to conventional exercises in managing pain, balance, and fall risk among the elderly with knee OA.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 54 elderly with knee OA. Participants were randomly assigned to either a proprioceptive exercise group (n=27) or a conventional exercise group (n=27). Outcome measures included pain (visual analog scale), balance (Berg balance scale), and fall risk (falls efficacy scale - international), which were assessed at three time points: baseline, six weeks, and eight weeks post-intervention.

RESULTS

Both groups showed improvements in pain, balance, and fall risk (p<0.005). However, the proprioceptive exercise group exhibited significantly greater improvements in all outcome measures compared to the conventional exercise group (p<0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Proprioceptive exercises demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing pain, enhancing balance, and mitigating fall risk in the elderly with knee OA. These findings suggest that proprioceptive exercises should be considered as a valuable component of comprehensive rehabilitation programs for this population.

Effects of kinesiotaping during early post-operative rehabilitation in individuals who underwent a total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials

OBJECTIVE

To report the treatment effects of early use kinesiotaping on pain, range of motion, mobility, and edema outcomes following total knee arthroplasty.

DATA SOURCES

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMED, SPORTDiscus, Biosis Citation Index, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched for potential randomized control trials from inception to 8 January 2024.

REVIEW METHODS

Randomized control trials evaluating the effect of kinesiotaping published in English were included. Reference lists for relevant reviews were searched. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Certainty of evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

RESULTS

Seven articles totaling 534 participants were included for meta-analysis. Kinesiotaping with standard rehabilitation when compared to standard rehabilitation alone had very low certainty of evidence in pain and knee flexion range of motion. Kinesiotaping was favored at post-operative days two to four for pain (P = 0.03, standard mean difference = -0.77 [-1.45, -0.09]) and range of motion (P = 0.002, standard mean difference = -0.24 [-0.44, -0.03]). Kinesiotaping was favored at post-operative days six to eight for pain (P = 0.02, standard mean difference = -0.76 [-1.41, -0.12]) and range of motion (P = 0.04, standard mean difference = -0.63 [-1.22, -0.04]). Edema and mobility could not be meta-analyzed.

CONCLUSION

The use of kinesiotaping early in post-operative rehabilitation could be a useful modality for reducing pain and increasing the range of knee flexion, however, the certainty of evidence is very low.

Acute Effect of Kinesiology Taping on Muscle Activation, Functionality and Proprioception in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Data on the mechanism of kinesiology taping (KT) for providing mechanical support, facilitating or inhibiting muscles, and increasing functionality in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) have been contradictory, with no study evaluating acute muscle activation. Our aim in this study was to determine the acute effect of KT applied to the rectus femoris muscle on this muscle's activation, functionality and proprioception in patients with knee osteoarthritis. We divided 40 individuals diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis into two groups: (a) KT group (taping with tension facilitation) and (b) a placebo group (taping with no tension facilitation). We applied taping to the participants' left and right side rectus femoris muscles for 30 minutes, but with muscle facilitation in the KT group and without tension in the placebo group. We assessed participants for muscle activation with surface electromyography (sEMG), for functionality with the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and for proprioception/joint sense with the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5TSTS) before and after taping. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the groups before these interventions were similar (p > .05). Muscle activation did not change significantly in either group compared to before taping (p > .05), but there were improvements in both knees for proprioception/joint sense (p < .05). Both groups were similar in terms of functionality (5TSTS, TUG) results (p > .05). We concluded that KT applied bilaterally to the rectus femoris did not affect rectus femoris muscle activation and functionality in patients with knee OA, but it did improve proprioception.

Minimal clinically important change of knee flexion in people with knee osteoarthritis after non-surgical interventions using a meta-analytical approach

BACKGROUND

Minimal clinically important change (MCIC) represents the minimum patient-perceived improvement in an outcome after treatment, in an individual or within a group over time. This study aimed to determine MCIC of knee flexion in people with knee OA after non-surgical interventions using a meta-analytical approach.

METHODS

Four databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science and CINAHL) were searched for studies of randomised clinical trials of non-surgical interventions with intervention duration of ≤ 3 months that reported change in (Δ) (mean change between baseline and immediately after the intervention) knee flexion with Δ pain or Δ function measured using tools that have established MCIC values. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (RoB 2). Bayesian meta-analytic models were used to determine relationships between Δ flexion with Δ pain and Δ function after non-surgical interventions and MCIC of knee flexion.

RESULTS

Seventy-two studies (k = 72, n = 5174) were eligible. Meta-analyses included 140 intervention arms (k = 61, n = 4516) that reported Δ flexion with Δ pain using the visual analog scale (pain-VAS) and Δ function using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index function subscale (function-WOMAC). Linear relationships between Δ pain at rest-VAS (0-100 mm) with Δ flexion were - 0.29 (- 0.44; - 0.15) (β: posterior median (CrI: credible interval)). Relationships between Δ pain during activity VAS and Δ flexion were - 0.29 (- 0.41, - 0.18), and Δ pain-general VAS and Δ flexion were - 0.33 (- 0.42, - 0.23). The relationship between Δ function-WOMAC (out of 100) and Δ flexion was - 0.15 (- 0.25, - 0.07). Increased Δ flexion was associated with decreased Δ pain-VAS and increased Δ function-WOMAC. The point estimates for MCIC of knee flexion ranged from 3.8 to 6.4°.

CONCLUSIONS

The estimated knee flexion MCIC values from this study are the first to be reported using a novel meta-analytical method. The novel meta-analytical method may be useful to estimate MCIC for other measures where anchor questions are problematic.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42022323927.

Adjunctive therapies in addition to land-based exercise therapy for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee

BACKGROUND

Land-based exercise therapy is recommended in clinical guidelines for hip or knee osteoarthritis. Adjunctive non-pharmacological therapies are commonly used alongside exercise in hip or knee osteoarthritis management, but cumulative evidence for adjuncts to land-based exercise therapy is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the benefits and harms of adjunctive therapies used in addition to land-based exercise therapy compared with placebo adjunctive therapy added to land-based exercise therapy, or land-based exercise therapy only for people with hip or knee osteoarthritis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and clinical trials registries up to 10 June 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs of people with hip or knee osteoarthritis comparing adjunctive therapies alongside land-based exercise therapy (experimental group) versus placebo adjunctive therapies alongside land-based exercise therapy, or land-based exercise therapy (control groups). Exercise had to be identical in both groups. Major outcomes were pain, physical function, participant-reported global assessment, quality of life (QOL), radiographic joint structural changes, adverse events and withdrawals due to adverse events. We evaluated short-term (6 months), medium-term (6 to 12 months) and long-term (12 months onwards) effects.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias and certainty of evidence for major outcomes using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 62 trials (60 RCTs and 2 quasi-RCTs) totalling 6508 participants. One trial included people with hip osteoarthritis, one hip or knee osteoarthritis and 59 included people with knee osteoarthritis only. Thirty-six trials evaluated electrophysical agents, seven manual therapies, four acupuncture or dry needling, or taping, three psychological therapies, dietary interventions or whole body vibration, two spa or peloid therapy and one foot insoles. Twenty-one trials included a placebo adjunctive therapy. We presented the effects stratified by different adjunctive therapies along with the overall results. We judged most trials to be at risk of bias, including 55% at risk of selection bias, 74% at risk of performance bias and 79% at risk of detection bias. Adverse events were reported in eight (13%) trials. Comparing adjunctive therapies plus land-based exercise therapy against placebo therapies plus exercise up to six months (short-term), we found low-certainty evidence for reduced pain and function, which did not meet our prespecified threshold for a clinically important difference. Mean pain intensity was 5.4 in the placebo group on a 0 to 10 numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) (lower scores represent less pain), and 0.77 points lower (0.48 points better to 1.16 points better) in the adjunctive therapy and exercise therapy group; relative improvement 10% (6% to 15% better) (22 studies; 1428 participants). Mean physical function on the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) 0 to 68 physical function (lower scores represent better function) subscale was 32.5 points in the placebo group and reduced by 5.03 points (2.57 points better to 7.61 points better) in the adjunctive therapy and exercise therapy group; relative improvement 12% (6% better to 18% better) (20 studies; 1361 participants). Moderate-certainty evidence indicates that adjunctive therapies did not improve QOL (SF-36 0 to 100 scale, higher scores represent better QOL). Placebo group mean QOL was 81.8 points, and 0.75 points worse (4.80 points worse to 3.39 points better) in the placebo adjunctive therapy group; relative improvement 1% (7% worse to 5% better) (two trials; 82 participants). Low-certainty evidence (two trials; 340 participants) indicates adjunctive therapies plus exercise may not increase adverse events compared to placebo therapies plus exercise (31% versus 13%; risk ratio (RR) 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27 to 21.90). Participant-reported global assessment was not measured in any studies. Compared with land-based exercise therapy, low-certainty evidence indicates that adjunctive electrophysical agents alongside exercise produced short-term (0 to 6 months) pain reduction of 0.41 points (0.17 points better to 0.63 points better); mean pain in the exercise-only group was 3.8 points and 0.41 points better in the adjunctive therapy plus exercise group (0 to 10 NPRS); relative improvement 7% (3% better to 11% better) (45 studies; 3322 participants). Mean physical function (0 to 68 WOMAC subscale) was 18.2 points in the exercise group and 2.83 points better (1.62 points better to 4.04 points better) in the adjunctive therapy plus exercise group; relative improvement 9% (5% better to 13% better) (45 studies; 3323 participants). These results are not clinically important. Mean QOL in the exercise group was 56.1 points and 1.04 points worse in the adjunctive therapies plus exercise therapy group (1.04 points worse to 3.12 points better); relative improvement 2% (2% worse to 5% better) (11 studies; 1483 participants), indicating no benefit (low-certainty evidence). Moderate-certainty evidence indicates that adjunctive therapies plus exercise probably result in a slight increase in participant-reported global assessment (short-term), with success reported by 45% in the exercise therapy group and 17% more individuals receiving adjunctive therapies and exercise (RR 1.37, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.62) (5 studies; 840 participants). One study (156 participants) showed little difference in radiographic joint structural changes (0.25 mm less, 95% CI -0.32 to -0.18 mm); 12% relative improvement (6% better to 18% better). Low-certainty evidence (8 trials; 1542 participants) indicates that adjunctive therapies plus exercise may not increase adverse events compared with exercise only (8.6% versus 6.5%; RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.78 to 2.27).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Moderate- to low-certainty evidence showed no difference in pain, physical function or QOL between adjunctive therapies and placebo adjunctive therapies, or in pain, physical function, QOL or joint structural changes, compared to exercise only. Participant-reported global assessment was not reported for placebo comparisons, but there is probably a slight clinical benefit for adjunctive therapies plus exercise compared with exercise, based on a small number of studies. This may be explained by additional constructs captured in global measures compared with specific measures. Although results indicate no increased adverse events for adjunctive therapies used with exercise, these were poorly reported. Most studies evaluated short-term effects, with limited medium- or long-term evaluation. Due to a preponderance of knee osteoarthritis trials, we urge caution in extrapolating the findings to populations with hip osteoarthritis.

Experimental Study on Alleviating Sports Injury through Data Screening of Functional Motor Biological Images

In order to better reduce sports injury, a method based on functional motion biological image data is proposed. Through performing functional motion screening test on wushu athletes, including 7 items of test, each athlete is given a score according to the test standard. This paper summarizes the mistakes and deficiencies of common movement patterns of athletes and makes different intervention plans to improve the effect of sports injury screening. The results show that, at P > 0.001, there was a significant difference, and the experimental group FMS total score (15.02 ± 3.7) was lower than the control group FMS total score (18.51 ± 1.45). The recognition rate of the system is higher than that of the system based on single feature, and the recognition performance is better than that of the standard SVM and KNN recognition methods. It is proved that the design of the system is feasible, reliable, and effective.

Influence of Isometric Exercise Combined With Electromyostimulation on Inflammatory Cytokine Levels, Muscle Strength, and Knee Joint Function in Elderly Women With Early Knee Osteoarthritis

Background and Objectives: Muscle strengthening exercise is suggested to beneficial for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and electrical muscular stimulation is reported to be effective in improvement of muscle strength. This study examined whether isometric exercise combined with whole body-electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) can improve serum cytokine levels, muscle strength, and knee function in elderly women with early knee OA.

Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled study included 75 participants assigned into three groups: the control group (CON), isometric exercise group (ISOM), and isometric exercise and electromyostimulation group (ISOM + EMS). The two exercise groups performed their respective programs for 8 weeks, 3 days a week, 30 min a day. The main exercises for both groups were performed continuously during the 20 min in an alternation of a 6-s contraction with a 4-s break. At pre- and post-intervention, anthropometric variables, muscle strength, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and blood sampling for biomarkers including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, and resistin were performed.

Results: All variables at pre-intervention showed no significant differences among the three groups. However, there were significant differences between groups for body composition, muscle strength, KOOS subscale scores, and biomarkers. ISOM + EMS group resulted in a significant reduction in body weight, fat mass, fat percentage, inflammatory cytokine levels, and increased muscle strength. An ISOM + EMS group had the best KOOS score among all groups.

Conclusion: Isometric exercise combined with WB-EMS resulted in the best overall improvements in knee function and alleviating the pain and symptoms of patients with early knee OA. Further, reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines were observed. These non-pharmacologic, non-invasive interventions should be considered by healthcare specialists for elderly patients with early knee OA.

Osteoarthritis year in review 2020: rehabilitation and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Systematically review and synthesize guidelines, systematic reviews, or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between April 1, 2019 and April 30, 2020 which evaluated or made recommendations for rehabilitation of persons with osteoarthritis.

DESIGN

Five electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINHAL, Web of Science) were searched with a comprehensive search strategy. Guidelines for rehabilitation of persons with osteoarthritis, and systematic reviews and RCTs evaluating osteoarthritis rehabilitation that included at least one patient-reported outcome measure and/or clinical test of function were included. Two authors independently screened records and assessed methodological quality using the AGREE-II (guidelines), AMSTAR-2 (systematic reviews) or PEDro scale (RCTs). Data were extracted to summarize included records and a narrative synthesis of findings related to core recommended osteoarthritis rehabilitation treatments performed.

RESULTS

Of 2,479 potential records, 253 records were reviewed. Two guidelines, 18 systematic reviews and 38 RCTs were included. 84% (n = 49) of included records related to knee osteoarthritis, 13% (n = 8) to hip, 10% (n = 6) to hand, 3% (n = 2) to mixed, and 1% (n = 1) to foot osteoarthritis. Exercise-therapy, methods to deliver exercise-therapy remotely, and approaches to facilitate exercise-therapy behaviour change were the most commonly evaluated interventions (n = 27). 94% of systematic reviews and 63% of RCTs rated high-quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteoarthritis rehabilitation research continues to focus on knee osteoarthritis and exercise-based interventions. Emerging topics include rehabilitation of comorbid populations, exercise behaviour change and technology supports. A better understanding of rehabilitation of osteoarthritis in joints other than the knee, and methods to determine and promote ideal exercise-therapy prescription are needed.

Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

The purpose of this review was to summarize the current best evidence for the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping in reducing pain and increasing knee function for patients with knee osteoarthritis. A comprehensive search of literature published between 2014 and 2019 was conducted using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Science Direct, and Scopus. Only randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of Kinesio Taping on knee osteoarthritis were included. PEDro was used to assess the risk of bias of included trials. This study was reported according to the guideline of the PRISMA statement. The methodological quality of the studies was done using the PEDro scale and GRADE approach. The overall quality of evidence was rated from moderate to high. Eighteen randomized trials involving 876 patients were included. The present systematic review demonstrated that there were significant differences between Kinesio Taping groups and control groups in terms of visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale and flexion range of motion. Kinesio Taping is effective in improving pain and joint function in patients with knee OA.