Demonstration of kinesio taping effect by ultrasonography in neck pain

Effects of Kinesio Taping on Neck Pain: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

INTRODUCTION

Neck pain constitutes a prevalent and burdensome health issue, substantially impairing patients' quality of life and functional capabilities. Kinesio taping (KT), a commonly employed intervention within physical therapy, holds promise for mitigating such symptoms; however, a comprehensive evaluation of its efficacy and evidence base is lacking. Therefore, this study endeavors to systematically investigate the therapeutic effects of KT on both subjective neck pain intensity and objective measures of physical activity limitations through a rigorous meta-analytic approach. By synthesizing existing literature and scrutinizing methodological nuances, we aim to furnish healthcare practitioners with evidence-informed insights, facilitating more judicious clinical decision-making and optimizing patient outcomes.

METHODS

According to the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted searches on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of KT in treating neck pain. Screening was performed based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Characteristics of the included RCTs were extracted. Trial heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17 software. Risk of bias and methodological quality were evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the PEDro scale, respectively.

RESULTS

In our analysis of 10 RCTs involving 620 patients meeting our inclusion criteria, KT demonstrated significant beneficial effects on neck pain, notably surpassing conventional treatment (weighted mean difference = -0.897, 95% CI -1.30 to -0.49, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis further revealed that KT exhibited particularly pronounced efficacy in the treatment of nonspecific neck pain and mechanical neck pain, with a more substantial effect observed after 4 weeks of KT intervention compared to 1 week. Moreover, KT demonstrated superior efficacy in alleviating pain symptoms compared to both conventional treatment and sham interventions.

CONCLUSION

KT has demonstrated efficacy in reducing neck pain and improving cervical dysfunction among patients. Prolonged KT treatment or its combination with other therapeutic modalities may potentially enhance therapeutic outcomes.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42024524685.

Immediate effects of Kinesio taping in carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized controlled double-blind ultrasonographic study

BACKGROUND

The effects of Kinesio taping (KT) in carpal tunnel syndrome are controversial.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine whether KT has any effect on the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and median nerve measurements and to compare the effects of two different KT applications.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a prospective, double-blinded, randomized trial. This study was prospectively registered on the clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05475197). A total of 34 wrists (21 patients) who were clinically and electrophysiologically diagnosed with mild/moderate carpal tunnel syndrome were randomly divided into two KT intervention groups (group 1: neural technique and area correction technique and group 2: area correction technique).

METHODS

At baseline and immediately after the removal of KT (48 hours), pain was assessed with visual analog scale, hand grip strength with a hand-held dynamometer, and pinch strength using a pinch meter. Likewise, using ultrasound, skin and subcutaneous tissue thicknesses, median nerve cross-sectional area and flattening ratio, as well as median nerve depth were measured at the carpal tunnel inlet and outlet levels.

RESULTS

While there was significant improvement in the pain scores (compared to the baseline) immediately after the KT in both groups (group 1: p = 0.03, ηp2 = 0.44; group 2: p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.71), there was no difference in between (p = 0.07, ηp2 = 0.10). Grip strength significantly increased only in group 2 (p = 0.01, ηp2 = 0.35). None of the sonographic measurements displayed significant difference either within or between groups at baseline and after KT (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

While pain scores improved after KT, they were not coupled with any morphologic changes assessed by ultrasound.

Effects of kinesiology taping on swallowing functions in newborns with swallowing difficulties: a randomized controlled pilot study

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the efficacy of kinesiology taping application in premature infants with dysphagia.

METHODS

A total of 60 premature newborns (born ≤37weeks' gestational age who reached the age ≥34 weeks of postmenstrual age) with sucking and swallowing problems were randomly assigned to the kinesiology taping group [n=31; 18 males, 13 females; mean postmenstrual age 35.4 weeks (SD 0.9 weeks, range 34-38 weeks)] or control group without kinesiology taping application [n=29; 16 males, 13 females; mean postmenstrual age age 35.6 weeks (SD 1.4 weeks, range 34-40 weeks)].

RESULTS

Kinesiology taping group yielded significant improvement in the oral reflexes (p<0.001) and in the sucking functions including tongue movement, sucking power, number of sucks and sucking pause, maintenance of alertness, jaw movement, tongue cupping, and maintenance of rhythm (p<0.001, p=0.011, p=0.002, and p=0.001, respectively). There was a significant difference in favor of the taping group with respect to the number of neonates whose feeding improved (26 (84%) vs. 7 (24%), p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study show that kinesiology taping can be applied as a safe and effective method to improve feeding functions in premature infants with sucking and swallowing difficulties.