Effect of different Kinesio tape tensions on experimentally-induced thermal and muscle pain in healthy adults

Abstract

Athletes and rehabilitation specialists have used Kinesio tape (KT) to help alleviate pain symptoms. Currently, no clear mechanism exists as to why pain is relieved with the use of KT and whether the pain relieving effect is simply a placebo effect. Additionally, the most effective taping parameters (tension of tape) for pain reduction remain unknown. We used quantitative sensory testing to address these key gaps in the KT and pain literature. Using a repeated-measures laboratory design, we examined whether KT applied at different tensions reduces experimentally-induced pain compared to a no tape condition and KT with minimal tension. Heat pain thresholds (HPT’s), pressure pain thresholds (PPT’s), and pressure pain suprathreshold (PPS: 125% of PPT) tests were administered to the forearm prior to and during KT and no tape conditions. Tape was applied to the ventral forearm at 25% of max tension, 75% of max tension, and no tension (placebo). Repeated measures ANOVA’s evaluated the pain outcomes between conditions and across time. KT had no significant effect on PPT’s and HPT’s (p’s >0.05). The ANOVA on PPS revealed that KT applied at 25% of tension significantly reduced pain ratings from the pretest (M = 34.4, SE = 5.5) to post-test 1 (M = 30.3, SE = 4.7) and post-test 2 (M = 30.4, SE = 4.7). No other conditions significantly reduced suprathreshold pressure pain. However, pain ratings at posttest-1 during the no-tape condition (M = 36.4, SE = 5.3) were significantly greater than pain ratings during post-test 1 and post-test 2 of all three tape conditions. In conclusion, the current study revealed that KT applied at low tension is the optimal tension to reduce pressure-evoked muscle pain. Additionally, the results suggested that KT applied at low, high, or no tension may acutely prevent increased muscle sensitivity with repeated pressure stimulation.

Evaluating the effects of two different kinesiology taping techniques on shoulder pain and function in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

“…Combining our results with those of other studies, it appears that the specific taping technique and direction of tape application are of little significance. Furthermore, with no consensus on how much tape tension is most beneficial ( 44 , 45 ), the patient has freedom to experiment with different configurations and varying amounts of tension that may yield the optimal short-term benefit with little skin irritation.…”

Effects of Kinesio taping on forearm supination/pronation performance fatigability

“…KT is being increasingly used in clinical practice, and several studies have reported KT as a therapeutic intervention that may improve outcomes with lower costs. Some studies have reported that KT application may improve muscle strength and motor function and recommend the use of KT as a treatment resource and even as a tool to assist in injury prevention [ 20 , 28 , 31 – 39 ]. These studies presented that the stretch applied on the tape provides a pre-pulling force on the skin, stimulating cutaneous mechanoreceptors and altering motor neuron activation, thereby improving communication with mechanoreceptors and increasing the number of motor units recruited.…”

Drop Landing Performance Dengan Kinesio Tape Pada Pemain Basket Sma

“…14,17 Disamping itu terdapat penelitian penggunaan kinesio tape tidak berpengaruh secara signifikan terlebih pada atlet tanpa permasalah muskuloskeletal. 18,19 Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui efektivitas dari penggunaan kinesio tape dalam stabilitas knee saat melakukan drop landing basket pada pemain sehat. Diharapkan hasil penelitian ini dapat memberikan informasi yang dapat dijadikan landasan dalam pencegahan risiko cedera lutuh.…”

“…Beberapa literatur lain menyebutkan bahwa penggunaan kinesio tape tidak memberikan pengaruh secara signifikan terlebih pada atlet tanpa permasalahan cedera muskuloskeletal sebelumnya. 18,19…”

“…Kondisi tersebut sejalan dengan penelitian yang menyebutkan bahwa penggunaan kinesio tape tidak memberikan pengaruh secara signifikan terlebih pada atlet tanpa permasalahan cedera muskuloskeletal sebelumnya dan pemain dengan propiosepsi yang buruk. 18,19,27 Dalam hal ini kinesio tape tidak memiliki efek medis pada kinerja otot pemain dengan kondisi sehat. 13,28 Penggunaan kinesio tape akan lebih efektif apabila diberikan kepada pemain dengan riwayat cedera ekstremitas bawah sebelumnya, seperti pada kondisi pasca opreasi ACL yang dimana penggunaan kinesio tape dapat meningkatkan kekuatan dan keseimbangan lutut pemain.…”