The Effect of Kinesio Tape on Factors for Neuromuscular Control of the Lower-Extremity: A Critically Appraised Topic

Abstract

Clinical Scenario: Joint instability is a common condition that often stems from inadequate muscle activation and results in precarious movement patterns. When clinicians attempt to mechanically treat the unstable joint rather than attending to the underlying cause of the instability, patient outcomes may suffer. The use of kinesiology tape (KT) on an unstable joint has been proposed to aid in improving lower-extremity neuromuscular control. Clinical Question: Does KT improve factors of neuromuscular control in an athletic population when compared with no-tape or nonelastic taping techniques? Summary of Key Findings: The current literature was searched, and 5 randomized controlled studies were selected comparing the effects of KT with no-tape or nonelastic taping techniques on lower-extremity neuromuscular control in an athletic population. Primary findings suggest KT is not more effective than no-tape or nonelastic tape conditions at improving lower-extremity neuromuscular control in a healthy population. Clinical Bottom Line: The current evidence suggests that KT is ineffective for improving neuromuscular control at the ankle compared with nonelastic tape or no-tape conditions. KT was also found to be ineffective at improving hip and knee kinematics in healthy runners and cyclists. However, preliminary research has demonstrated improved neuromuscular control in a population displaying excessive knee valgus during a drop jump landing, after the application of KT. Clinicians should be cautious of these conflicting results and apply the best available evidence to their evaluation of the patient’s status. Strength of Recommendation: There is grade B evidence that the use of KT on an athletic population does not improve biomechanical measures of ankle stability. There is inconclusive, grade B evidence that KT improves neuromuscular control at the knee in symptomatic populations.

Effects of Kinesio taping on lower limb biomechanical characteristics during the cutting maneuver in athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

“…Conventional tapes and braces are thought to improve knee stability; however, they may limit the range of motion of the knee and decrease the knee flexion angle during the landing phase, increasing the risk of ACL injury [29]. The elasticity of KT allows achieving a partial to full range of motion and hence does not limit the range of motion of the joint [30]. Additionally, KT is thought to improve blood circulation, and this physiological change may affect the muscle and myofascial functions and increase the range of motion of the joint [31][32][33].…”

Immediate Effect of a Kinesiotape Bandage on Knee Mechanics during Functional Tests in Female Rugby and Football Athletes: A Pilot Study

“…In this line, a recent study applied a KT bandage to the knee with a tension of 75%, achieving a significant reduction in the knee valgus during the Jump Landing Test in men [26]. To date, there is inconclusive evidence that KT improves neuromuscular control at the knee in symptomatic populations [27], and it would be interesting to analyze the effectiveness of KT in reducing knee valgus in several closed kinetic chain functional tests focusing on women, since they have a greater risk of suffering from ACL injuries.…”

Effect of kinesio taping intervention on the muscle strength and balance of college basketball players with functional ankle instability

“…KT application to college basketball players with FAI has recently been the focus of muscle strength and balance ability research, and the existing research on KT on muscle strength and balance ability is still controversial. The results of some studies indicate that KT does not seem to increase muscle strength or improve the balance ability of subjects ( Shields et al, 2013 ; Bailey and Firth, 2017 ; Martonick et al, 2020 ). However, other studies have shown that KT plays a certain role in improving the muscle strength and proprioception of injured people ( Williams S et al, 2012 ; Lin et al, 2021b ; Mao et al, 2021 ; Biz et al, 2022 ).…”