Immediate and Delayed Effects of Forearm Kinesio Taping on Grip Strength

Abstract

Background:Due to the fundamental role of gripping in most upper limb activities, grip strength promotion is a chief goal in the treatment of patients with upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. Kinesio taping is a novel and effective therapeutic technique believed to facilitate muscle contraction through stimulating mechanoreceptors and increasing the sensory feedback around the taped region.Objectives:The present study aimed to identify the best region (flexor, extensor and flexor/extensor regions) and time (immediate, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 hours) of forearm Kinesio taping to obtain the maximum improvement in grip strength.Materials and Methods:In this longitudinal study, 40 healthy men and women (the mean age of 22.3 ± 2.19 years) were selected among students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran by simple, nonrandom sampling method. A dynamometer was used to measure grip strength immediately and every 30 minutes during the two hours after I-shaped application of tape (with 50% stretch) to the flexor, extensor, and flexor/extensor forearm muscles.Results:Grip strength was significantly increased in various muscle groups for males (P = 0.002) and females (P = 0.000) of the forearm and at different intervals for males (P = 0.000) and females (P = 0.000). Moreover, in both men and women, tape application to the extensor region provided greater grip strength compared to taping of the flexor and flexor/extensor regions (P = 0.000 for both). Furthermore, the maximum increase in grip strength were 0.5 (10.8% increase, P = 0.001) and 1.5 h (23.9% increase, P = 0.000) after taping in males and females, respectively.Conclusions:Taping the extensor region of forearm is recommended to achieve higher grip strength. Although grip strength increased at a slower pace in females than males, the final values were higher in women.

Facilitatory Effects of Kinesio Taping on Forearm Extensors in Improving Hand Grip and Pinch Grip Strength

“…However, results of the present study were in contrast to studies by Kuo et al [20], Mohammadi et al [10] and Thiago et al [21] who observed positive effects of kinesio taping on hand grip strength. Kuo et al [20] used facilitation and inhibition techniques of kinesio taping on maximal isometric strength of wrist and finger muscles.…”

“…Mohammadi et al [10] aimed to identify the best region of forearm taping, effect timing on forearm muscles by measuring hand grip strength. They found extensor taping more effective than flexor taping and recommended kinesio taping to improve hand grip strength.…”

“…Several studies in the past focused on determining the strength improving effects of KT [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. While some studies reported the immediate effects of KT on muscle strength, others reported on delayed effects.…”

Efectos Del Kinesiotaping En Deportistas Con Esguince De Tobillo

“…El Kinesio Taping es una herramienta terapéutica utilizada mundialmente en el campo deportivo desde su creación en 1979 por el doctor Kenzo Kase; plantea que uno de sus objetivos en el tratamiento es brindar estabilidad a la articulación como una manera rápida de disminuir el dolor y la inflamación, como lo manifiesta Villota, (2014), "fue diseñado para facilitar el proceso de curación natural del cuerpo permitiendo apoyo y estabilidad a los músculos y las articulaciones sin restringir el alcance del movimiento del cuerpo"; dentro de los efectos fisiológicos se encuentran los descritos por Kouhzad Mohammadi et al, (2014) quien enuncia que "son el analgésico, el de aumento de la circulación linfática y sanguínea, reducción de la fatiga muscular y modulación del tono muscular, mejora la interrelación entre las fascias, actúa sobre la postura y la propiocepción articular".…”

Does the Kinesio Tape Provide more Knee Extensor Torque?

“…The results of both immediate and long-term effects (10,11) are controversial, highlighting the need for further studies. In addition, the benefits of KT reported by users on a day-to-day technical application is unknown and without scientific and clinical evidence, raising the question of a possible "placebo effect" (12).…”