A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping for Musculoskeletal Injury

Abstract

Six studies met our criteria and were included in this systematic review. Two of these studies examined musculoskeletal injuries in the lower extremity and reported that the use of KT did not affect outcome measures. Two studies examined musculoskeletal injuries involving the spine. Treatment with KT significantly improved pain levels and range of motion in patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders of the cervical spine both immediately and 24 hours after injury; however, the long-term results did not differ between the 2 groups. Subjects with chronic low back pain treated with KT and exercise, KT alone, or exercise alone experienced significant improvement in short-term pain, while the exercise-only group also showed significantly less long-term disability. Two studies examined musculoskeletal injuries in the shoulder. The first of these found insufficient evidence to indicate that KT decreases pain and disability in young patients with shoulder impingement/tendinitis, while the second suggested that KT may provide short-term pain relief for patients with shoulder impingement. This systematic review found insufficient evidence to support the use of KT following musculoskeletal injury, although a perceived benefit cannot be discounted. There are few high-quality studies examining the use of KT following musculoskeletal injury.

Efeitos do uso do Kinesio® Taping na marcha de indivíduos pós-acidente vascular encefálico: uma revisão sistemática com metanálise

“…Compared to previous studies, the findings of this review are in agreement with the previous systematic reviews that also found no effects of KT in stroke subjects 16 and other populations [11][12][13] . Apparently, the growing use of KT is due mainly to massive marketing campaigns conducted by the media, ignoring the need for high-quality research, that is, scientific evidence with clinically relevant results 11 .…”

“…Due to the use of promising KT effects, studies have been developed to investigate the effectiveness of this technique in gait of different populations. In healthy individuals or with musculoskeletal injuries, for example, although isolated studies have demonstrated positive KT results 9,10 , recent systematic reviews do not support the use of this technique on rehabilitation of gait of these populations [11][12][13] . For stroke subjects, studies have also investigated the effects of KT on the gait and also reported promising results 14,15 .…”

Influence of the treatment of the Kinesio-taping® technique on pain and functionality in patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

“…In people with acute musculoskeletal conditions, the effects of KT can significantly improve pain levels and range of motion. In individuals with chronic lumbar pain treated with KT and exercise, KT alone, or exercise alone, experienced a significant improvement in short-term pain, however, the long-term results are uncertain 12 .…”

A Aplicabilidade Do Recurso Kinesio Taping® No Desporto: Uma Revisão De Literatura

“…(10) Embora o KT tenha sido cada vez mais utilizado no sistema musculoesquelético, nos protocolos e prevenção de esportes de reabilitação lesões, e doenças ocupacionais não ha nenhuma evidência clara sobre potencial mecanismos subjacentes aos seus efeitos benéficos e ha falta de qualidade dos trabalhos. (6,8,11,12) E com a crescente utilização e disseminação da técnica se faz necessário estudos, como este, para esclarecer a cerca das indicações, efeitos perspectivas de seu uso. Porém, 6 artigos estavam presentes em mais de uma base de dados.…”