Efficacy of Kinesiotaping on Symptoms, Hand Functions, and Hand Grip Strength in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Single-Blind and Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of kinesiotaping method in combination with night splint and without splint in the treatment of mild carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Material and Methods: Forty patients (60 hands) who were diagnosed with mild and moderate severity of CTS were included in the study. They were randomized into four groups (Group 1: kinesiotaping (n=15), group 2: splint (n=15), group 3: kinesiotaping and splint (n=15), and group 4: control (n=15). Symptom severity and functional capacity by the Boston Questionnaire and Functional Capacity Scale, grip strength by Jamar hand dynamometer, lateral and pulp finger strength by pinchmeter, and finger dexterity by the Moberg Test and electrophysiologic parameters were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: Compared to other groups, more successful outcomes were seen in group 3, resulting in statistically significant improvements in all clinical parameters (p≤0.05). A statistically significant improvement was also recorded in groups 1 and 2 only for the second month (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Our study results suggest that kinesiotaping alone is effective only in the early period of treatment; however, combining it with a night splint is more effective in the treatment of patients with mild CTS.

Update on Efficacy of Conservative Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

“…Limited evidence supports small benefits from orthoses. Eight studies compare orthoses with no treatment or sham treatment [18,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Synthesis of the evidence suggests that the benefit from splinting at short-term (<3 months) may be little.…”

“…Synthesis of the evidence suggests that the benefit from splinting at short-term (<3 months) may be little. Most studies find no benefit or clinically unimportant benefit ranging between 0.1 and 1.1 points on Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) at short term (>3 months) and 0.3 to 0.9 points at long-term [18,[24][25][26][27][28]30]. However, shortcomings in methods, unexplained heterogeneity between studies and small sample sizes (imprecise treatment effect estimates) limit the interpretation, and particularly long-term benefits are unclear because limited data exists beyond 6 months.…”

Short‐term effectiveness of kinesio taping as therapeutic tool in conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Thirteen studies (Akgol et al., 2021; Aktürk et al., 2018; Ali et al., 2013; Aminian‐Far et al., 2021; de Sire et al., 2021; Geler Külcü et al., 2016; Kocjan, 2016; Krause et al., 2021; Mansiz Kaplan et al., 2019; Park et al., 2017; Yildirim et al., 2018; Öncü et al., 2014; Şen et al., 2020) analysed the influence of kinesio taping on symptoms of CTS (Figure 1). The articles were published between 2013 and 2021, all of them were randomised clinical trials, and were carried out in five different countries: Italy, Iran, Korea, Poland, Egypt, Turkey, and the United States of America.…”

“…Eleven of the 13 included studies used the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (Akgol et al., 2021; Aktürk et al., 2018; Aminian‐Far et al., 2021; de Sire et al., 2021; Geler Külcü et al., 2016; Kocjan, 2016; Krause et al., 2021; Mansiz Kaplan et al., 2019; Yildirim et al., 2018; Öncü et al., 2014; Şen et al., 2020), a specific questionnaire for CTS that assesses both functionality and severity, while two studies evaluated these two variables using the Quick Version of Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (de Sire et al., 2021; Kocjan, 2016). Finally, two studies evaluated the functional status of the hand (manual dexterity) via the Moberg pick‐up test (Yildirim et al., 2018; Öncü et al., 2014), whose use in CTS has been validated.…”

“…Studies diagnosed CTS through different tests such as a compression test, Phalen's test (Aktürk et al., 2018; Ali et al., 2013; Geler Külcü et al., 2016; Öncü et al., 2014; Şen et al., 2020), or Tinel's sign (Aktürk et al., 2018; Ali et al., 2013; Geler Külcü et al., 2016; Öncü et al., 2014; Şen et al., 2020). Two studies analysed the effect of kinesio taping on these tests: Aktürk et al., 2018 found a significant decrease ( p < 0.001) in the response to provocative tests in the kinesio taping group versus a group where splints were used, while the study by Şen Nadide (2020) only recorded the results of the pre‐treatment evaluation.…”