Effects of Kinesio tape on lower limb muscle strength, hop test, and vertical jump performances: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: To date, published systematic reviews concerning the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) on muscle strength have not analysed facilitatory and inhibitory applications separately. As a result, their results could be substantially affected by clinical heterogeneity. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effectiveness of using a facilitatory application of KT for lower limb muscle strength and functional performance (distance in a single-leg hop and vertical jump height) in individuals without disabilities and in those with musculoskeletal conditions (muscle fatigue, chronic musculoskeletal diseases, and post-operative orthopaedic conditions). Methods: Searches were conducted on six major electronic databases. Randomised controlled trials that used facilitatory KT were included. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) were calculated and random-effects models were used for analysis. Results: Thirty-seven randomised controlled trials were included. KT was superior to controls for improving lower limb muscle strength in individuals with muscle fatigue (short-term effect, pooled SMD = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.96; long-term effect, pooled SMD = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.12 to 1.11) and in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal diseases (pooled SMD = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.33 to 2.16) with large effect sizes. The use of KT in populations without disabilities was not supported. There is insufficient evidence for the effect of KT on functional performance in individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. Conclusions: Contrary to prior research, the existing evidence shows that KT can improve lower limb muscle strength in individuals with muscle fatigue and chronic musculoskeletal diseases. The effect sizes produced in this meta-analysis show that KT may be superior to some existing treatments for these conditions. In addition, this study suggests that practitioners may wish to avoid the use of KT in individuals without disabilities.

The influence of kinesio taping on trunk and lower extremity motions during different landing tasks: implications for anterior cruciate ligament injury

“…They reported that using the ACL-KT technique with a 75% tension reduces knee abduction angle during a DVJ. Furthermore, KT provides tactile stimulation [ 23 , 44 ], although KT tactile inputs may not be strong enough to modulate muscle strength [ 13 ], and consequently, unable to moderate joint angles in healthy athletes during the double-leg landings of TLDVJ and DLFJ.…”

“…Hence, it is not possible to compare the present results with previous findings. However, various studies indicate that KT increases motor unit recruitment in healthy individuals, which might justify biomechanical changes affected by the KT technique [ 2 , 31 , 44 ]. Furthermore, the results revealed that KT has no effect on lateral trunk lean angle.…”

“…Anterior tail was applied towards the ASIS with light or paper off tension and the last 1–2 inches with no tension. Posterior tail was applied towards PSIS with a similar tension mentioned above [ 12 , 16 ] Erector Spinae The tape was bilaterally placed over the erector spinae muscles, parallel to the spinous processes of the lumbar vertebrae [ 44 ], starting near the posterior superior iliac crest [ 45 ] Rectus Abdominis Two pieces of tape were longitudinally applied on the rectus abdominis from the level of the xiphoid process to the pubic symphysis level [46] …”

Effect of Short-Term Kinesiology Taping on Knee Proprioception and Quadriceps Performance in Healthy Individuals

“…The taping methods of the KT-T on rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), and vastus lateralis (VL) were as follows ( Lins et al, 2013 ; Poon et al, 2015 ; Fernandes de Jesus et al, 2016 ): (1) from a point 10 cm below the anterior superior iliac spine and split in the form of “Y” above the patella, finishing at tibial tuberosity (RF); (2) from the middle third of the medial thigh to the medial edge of the patella (VM); and (3) start from the greater trochanter of femur, finishing at the lateral edge of the patella (VMO). KT-T consistency with 50% tension was maintained in the muscles with the following equation, the leg length of the taping area was measured to calculate the actual length of the taping ( Yam M. L. et al, 2019 ; Yam T. T. T. et al, 2019 ).…”

“…On the basis of its special features, the compressive and shear force applied by the tape on the skin activates cutaneous mechanoreceptors related to joint position, movement, and force ( Kase et al, 2003 ), conveying more information from the knee joint to the central nervous system for integration and, therefore, resulting in enhanced proprioception ( Riemann and Lephart, 2002 ; Liu et al, 2019 ). Previous studies verified that the recoiling force direction of the tape is the same as that of a muscle contraction, is potentially transmitted to the fascia and facilitates a target muscle’s production of high force ( Kuo and Huang, 2013 ; Yam M. L. et al, 2019 ; Ye et al, 2019 ).…”