Effects of the Application Direction of Kinesio Taping on Isometric Muscle Strength of the Wrist and Fingers of Healthy Adults — A Pilot Study

Abstract

Abstract.[Purpose] The purposes of this study were to investigate the immediate and delayed effects of two directions of Kinesio taping (KT) on maximal isometric strength of the wrist and finger muscles of healthy adults and compare their differences.[Subjects] Nineteen healthy junior college students participated in this study. [Methods] The inhibition and facilitation KT techniques were separately used to tape on the dominant and non-dominant forearms of the participants, respectively. Maximal isometric strength of wrist extension, middle finger extension, and grip of both hands were measured before taping, immediately after taping, and after 24 h of taping (with the tape in situ).[Results] Compared with the baseline, the average maximal isometric strength of middle finger extensors increased considerably after application of the facilitation technique. No significant time effect was observed for measurement of middle finger extension strength on the dominant side or for wrist extension and grip strength on both sides. Significant differences between both taping techniques were observed for wrist and middle finger extension strength immediately after taping, and for middle finger extension after 24 h of taping.[Conclusion] The results suggest that the application direction of KT may have different effects on isometric muscle strength. Future studies involving a larger sample of subjects and a sham condition are warranted to confirm our findings.

Facilitatory Effects of Kinesio Taping on Forearm Extensors in Improving Hand Grip and Pinch Grip Strength

“…However, results of the present study were in contrast to studies by Kuo et al [20], Mohammadi et al [10] and Thiago et al [21] who observed positive effects of kinesio taping on hand grip strength. Kuo et al [20] used facilitation and inhibition techniques of kinesio taping on maximal isometric strength of wrist and finger muscles.…”

“…Kuo et al [20] used facilitation and inhibition techniques of kinesio taping on maximal isometric strength of wrist and finger muscles. They concluded that the applied direction of taping may have different effects on isometric hand grip strength.…”

Acute effects of Kinesio taping on muscle strength and fatigue in the forearm of tennis players

“…Recent observations have suggested that the strength performance might be muscle-dependent due to the different muscle groups covered by KT. 10 The reason may be that the area covered by KT at different target muscles could be affected varyingly by the tactile stimulation or mechanical assistance afforded by the tape. Furthermore, muscles can be functionally categorized as either phasic or tonic.…”

“…9 Little is known about the isokinetic muscle strength of phasic muscles, e.g., wrist extensors and flexors, after applying the KT. 10 In highly skilled adult tennis players, significantly greater isokinetic strength was observed for the flexion and extension of dominant arm wrist. 11 More importantly, a recent electromyographic study has indicated that the wrist extensor and flexor muscles play an important role in gripping during the procedure of holding the racket in an extended tennis or badminton match.…”

Comparative Effect of Kinesiotape and Rigid Tape with Therapeutic Putty Exercise on Pinch Strenght in Instrumentalists – A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…I-shape kinesio and rigid taping was done in group A and B respectively for the wrist extensor muscles in the present study. Specific taping resulted in greater tactile stimulation of the wrist extensors and inhibition of other muscles 20 . Improvement in strength of the wrist extensors placed the wrist and hand in a mechanical advantage position thereby improving the pinch strength in the subjects.…”