Kinesio Taping Improves Perceptions of Pain and Function of Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis (2019)

Context:

Although increasingly used for therapeutic treatment, only limited evidence exists regarding the effects of kinesio taping on patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Objective:

To determine the effects of kinesio taping on pain, function, gait, and neuromuscular control concerning patients with knee OA.

Design:

Randomized sham-controlled trial.

Setting:

University laboratory.

Participants:

A total of 141 patients (65.1 [7.0] y) with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of knee OA.

Intervention:

Kinesio tape, sham tape, or no tape for 3 consecutive days.

Main Outcome Measures:

Self-reported pain, stiffness, and function were measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Further tests included the Balance Error Scoring System, 10-m walk test, the maximum voluntary isometric contraction force of the quadriceps femoris, and knee active range of motion.

Results:

At baseline, there were no differences in all outcomes between groups except for knee flexion. Significant effects were found for WOMAC pain (tape vs sham, P = .05; tape vs control, P = .047), stiffness (tape vs sham, P = .01; tape vs control, P ≤ .001), and physical function (tape vs sham, P = .03; tape vs control P = .004). No interactions were found for balance, muscle strength, walking speed, or active range of motion.

Conclusion:

Wearing kinesio tape for 3 consecutive days had beneficial effects regarding self-reported clinical outcomes of pain, joint stiffness, and function. This emphasizes that kinesio taping might be an adequate conservative treatment for the symptoms of knee OA.