Kinesio tape (KT) is an elastic therapeutic tape used for treating sports injuries and a variety of other disorders. Chiropractor, Dr Kenso Kase, developed KT taping techniques in the 1970s. It is claimed that KT supports injuredmuscles and joints and helps relieve pain by lifting the skin and allowing improved blood and lymph flow. The profile of KT rose after the tape was donated to 58 countries for use during the 2008 Olympic Games, and was seen on high-profile athletes. Practitioners are asking whether they should use KT over other elastic adhesive tapes. The aim of this review was to evaluate, using meta-analysis, the effectiveness ofKT in the treatment and prevention of sports injuries. Electronic databases including SPORTDiscus®, Scopus,MEDLINE, ScienceDirect and sports medicine websites were searched using keywords ‘kinesio taping/tape’. From 97 articles, ten met the inclusion criteria (article reported data for effect of KT on a musculoskeletal outcome and had a control group) and were retained for meta-analyses.Magnitude-based inferences were used to assess clinical worth of positive outcomes reported in studies. Only two studies investigated sports-related injuries (shoulder impingement), and just one of these involved injured athletes. Studies attending to musculoskeletal outcomes in healthy participants were included on the basis that these outcomes may have implications for the prevention of sporting injuries. The efficacy of KT in pain relief was trivial given there were no clinically important results. There were inconsistent range-of-motion outcome results, with at least small beneficial results seen in two studies, but trivial results in two other studies across numerous joint measurements. There was a likely beneficial effect for proprioception regarding grip force sense error, but no positive outcome for ankle proprioception. Seven outcomes relating to strength were beneficial, although there were numerous trivial findings for quadriceps and hamstrings peak torque, and grip strength measures. KT had some substantial effects on muscle activity, but it was unclear whether these changes were beneficial or harmful. In conclusion, there was little quality evidence to support the use ofKT over other types of elastic taping in themanagement or prevention of sports injuries. KT may have a small beneficial role in improving strength, range of motion in certain injured cohorts and force sense error compared with other tapes, but further studies are needed to confirm these findings. The amount of case study and anecdotal support for KT warrants well designed experimental research, particularly pertaining to sporting injuries, so that practitioners can be confident that KT is beneficial for their athletes.

/pdf/kinesio-taping-in-treatment-and-prevention-of-sports-24130p1w14.pdf

Kinesio taping in treatment and prevention of sports injuries: a meta-analysis of the evidence for its effectiveness.

Immediate effect of forearm Kinesio taping on maximal grip strength and force sense in healthy collegiate athletes.

Kinesio(®) Tex tape (KTT) is used in a variety of clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of KTT from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the management of clinical conditions. A systematic literature search of CINAHL; MEDLINE; OVID; AMED; SCIENCE DIRECT; PEDRO; www.internurse.com; SPORT DISCUS; BRITISH NURSING INDEX; www.kinesiotaping.co.uk; www.kinesiotaping.com; COCHRANE CENTRAL REGISTER OF CLINICAL TRIALS; and PROQUEST was performed up to April 2012. The risk of bias and quality of evidence grading was performed using the Cochrane collaboration methodology. Eight RCTs met the full inclusion/exclusion criteria. Six of these included patients with musculoskeletal conditions; one included patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema; and one included stroke patients with muscle spasticity. Six studies included a sham or usual care tape/bandage group. There was limited to moderate evidence that KTT is no more clinically effective than sham or usual care tape/bandage. There was limited evidence from one moderate quality RCT that KTT in conjunction with physiotherapy was clinically beneficial for plantar fasciitis related pain in the short term; however, there are serious questions around the internal validity of this RCT. There currently exists insufficient evidence to support the use of KTT over other modalities in clinical practice.

https://www.researchgate.net/file.PostFileLoader.html?id=55b3f05060614b66d58b45bd&assetKey=AS%3A273819137183744%401442294977838

The clinical effects of Kinesio® Tex taping: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Kinesio Taping is currently regarded by physiotherapists as a method supporting rehabilitation and modulating some physiological processes. It is employed e.g. in orthopaedics and sport medicine. This sensory method supports joint function by exerting an effect on muscle function, enhancing activity of the lymphatic system and endogenous analgesic mechanisms as well as improving microcirculation. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Kinesio Taping on changes in the tone of the vastus medialis muscle during isometric contractions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study group included 27 healthy persons. A Kinesio Tape was placed to support the function of the medial head of the quadriceps muscle of thigh. Transdermal EMG was used to assess bioelectrical activity of the muscle. A standardised protocol was employed for measurement of muscle tone, recorded as the peak torque of the muscle. RESULTS: An examination performed 24 hours after the placement of the Kinesio Tape revealed significantly increased recruitment of the muscle's motor units, as expressed by peak torque. An examination performed after 72 hours of kinesio taping showed a statistically significant increase in bioelectrical activity of the muscle. However, this was lower than the effect at 24 hours. In the group where the tapes were removed after 24 hours, high torque was still maintained. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Clinically significant effects of Kinesio Taping in this study included an increase in the bioelectrical activity of the muscle after 24 hours of kinesio taping and the maintenance of this effect for another 48 hours following removal of the tape. 2. The decrease in muscle tone to the baseline value, which was observed during the fourth day of Kinesio Taping use, may have resulted from the time of effective use of the KT tape being shorter than previously believed and may restrict Kinesio Taping use. 3. Kinesio Taping used shortly before the motor activity it is supposed to support may fail to fulfil its function.

Effect of Kinesio Taping on bioelectrical activity of vastus medialis muscle. Preliminary report.

Elastic taping applied on the triceps surae has been commonly used to improve the performance of lower extremities. However, little objective evidence has been documented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of elastic taping on the triceps surae during a maximal vertical jump. It was hypothesized that elastic taping to the triceps surae would increase muscle activity and cause positive effect to jump height. Thirty-one healthy adults (19 males and 12 females with mean age, body weight and height for 25.3 ± 3.8 years old, 64.1 ± 6.2 kg, and 169.4 ± 7.3 cm, respectively) were recruited. All participants performed vertical jump tests prior to (without taping) and during elastic taping. Two elastic tapes, Kinesio tape and Mplacebo tape from two different manufacturers, were applied to the participants, respectively. The results showed that the vertical ground reaction force increased when Kinesio tape was applied even when the height of jump remained about constant. However, the height of the jump decreased, and there was no difference on the vertical ground reaction force in Mplacebo taping group. Although the EMG activity of medial gastrocnemius tended to increase in Kinesio taping group, we did not see differences in EMG activity for the medial gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior and soleus muscles in either group. Based on the varied effects of Kinesio tape and Mplacebo tape, different intervention technique was suggested for specific purpose during vertical jump movement. Mplacebo tape was demanded for the benefits of stabilization, protection, and the restriction of motion at the ankle joint. On the other hand, the findings may implicate benefits for medial gastrocnemius muscle strength and push-off force when using Kinesio tape.

/pdf/effect-of-the-kinesio-tape-to-muscle-activity-and-vertical-3l8o7nr98c.pdf

Effect of the Kinesio tape to muscle activity and vertical jump performance in healthy inactive people.

Effect of Kinesio taping on muscle strength in athletes-a pilot study.

BACKGROUND Saliva is one of the most important factors in regulating oral health, with flow rate and composition changing throughout development and during disease. In view of the shortage of data, the present study aimed to shed light on the relationship between unstimulated salivary flow rate and saliva composition of healthy children in Taiwan. METHODS Forty-four normal, healthy children from 3-14 years of age were divided into three age groups: pre-school, elementary school and junior-high school. All participants received salivary flow rate, pH and saliva composition analysis under unstimulated conditions. One-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation were used. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Our results suggest that, under unstimulated conditions, the salivary flow rate of the elementary school group was greater than that of the pre-school group (p < 0.05). No difference in pH was found among the three groups. Intergroup salivary calcium, phosphorus and amylase did not reach statistical difference. As the flow rate increased, the pH increased (r = 0.364, p < 0.05) but the protein level decreased (r = -0.473, p < 0.05). In addition, salivary protein was positively correlated to age (r = 0.479, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated to pH (r = -0.361, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Age-related increase in the unstimulated salivary flow rate of pre-school and elementary school groups was noted. As the flow rate increased, the pH increased but the protein level decreased. The information obtained may serve as reference values for the growing interest in saliva as a diagnostic tool, especially monitoring those with neurological or oral motor dysfunction.

Relationship between unstimulated salivary flow rate and saliva composition of healthy children in Taiwan.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of sedative music on the different stages of the sleep cycle in young adults with various sleep latencies by using polysomnography (PSG). Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled, crossover study. Setting: Sleep center of a teaching hospital. Participants: Young adults with different sleep latencies. Poor sleepers (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score ≥5) were excluded. Interventions: Each participant stayed one night in the sleep center for adaptation and on each of the following two nights was assigned to (1) music and (2) control (without music) conditions in random order. In the music condition, sedative music composed by certified music therapists was played on a compact disc player for the first hour the participant was in bed. Outcome measures: Sleep measures recorded with PSG, including sleep latency and durations of sleep stages. Results: Twenty-four young adults (mean±standard deviation, 24.5±2.6 years) participated. They were classified into the...

Sedative Music Facilitates Deep Sleep in Young Adults

Aim To analyse factors associated with bone density in different skeletal regions in children with cerebral palsy (CP) of various motor severities.



Method  We examined 56 children with spastic CP (10 diplegia, 12 hemiplegia and 34 quadriplegia) aged 4 to 12 years (35 males, 21 females) and 29 typically developing children. Children with CP were stratified into three groups based on Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to II (n=22), III (n=8), and IV to V (n=26). Growth and clinical variables, bone markers, distal femur and lumbar areal bone mineral density (BMDa), and calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) were assessed.



Results  The femur BMDa and calcaneal BUA values were lower in children in low GMFCS levels than in children in high GMFCS levels (p<0.05; femur BMDa: levels I-III, 0.6–0.7g/cm2; levels IV-V, 0.5g/cm2; calcaneal BUA: levels I-II, 39db/MHz; levels III-V, 20–21db/MHz). Lumbar BMDa and most bone markers did not differ significantly among CP and healthy groups. Regression analysis revealed that growth variables and GMFCS level were mainly associated with lower limb BMDa and BUA, and growth variables were mainly associated with lumbar BMDa (adjusted r2=0.48–0.56). None of the bone markers were associated with bone density.



Interpretation  Bone densities vary and are associated with a number of factors in different skeletal regions in children with CP with a range of motor severities.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03809.x

Factors associated with bone density in different skeletal regions in children with cerebral palsy of various motor severities.

A 40 year-old man with C5 complete quadriplegia, had L2-L3 pyogenic spondylitis treated with debridement and fusion of the lumbar spine with left iliac bone graft. Three months later he developed symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia, including headache, cold sweating, and hypertension whenever he was in an upright position. These symptoms resolved after lying down. Roentgenograms of the lumbar spine revealed absorption of the bone graft at the L2-L3 level. A spinal stabilization procedure was done after eight weeks of antibiotic therapy under the impression of unstable spine caused by pyogenic spondylitis. Symptoms were relieved immediately following the surgery. This report may be helpful for physicians caring for quadriplegic patients with autonomic dysreflexia induced by an unstable spine.

Katie P Wu

Papers

Effect of Kinesio taping on muscle strength in athletes-a pilot study.

Relationship between unstimulated salivary flow rate and saliva composition of healthy children in Taiwan.

Sedative Music Facilitates Deep Sleep in Young Adults

Factors associated with bone density in different skeletal regions in children with cerebral palsy of various motor severities.

Autonomic dysreflexia triggered by an unstable lumbar spine in a quadriplegic patient.