Participants’ perceptions of Kinesio tape for carpal tunnel syndrome: A qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction: Kinesio tape is an alternative non-surgical treatment approach for addressing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. The purpose of the study was to investigate individuals' experiences with the dorsal application of Kinesio tape for carpal tunnel syndrome management and its impact on pain and function. Method: The study design was a limited phenomenological design study embedded in a randomized controlled trial. Daily symptom journals and semi-structured interviews were completed with 15 participants who were purposefully recruited and randomly allocated to the intervention group of a single blind randomized controlled trial. Kinesio tape was applied dorsally on the affected forearm, wrist, and digits for a duration of two weeks. Transcribed data were analyzed using descriptive coding, coding schemes, and frequency charts to identify emerging themes. Results: Three themes emerged: Kinesio tape was positively perceived to be effective on decreasing pain, increasing self-efficacy, and improving daily functional performance on tasks previously avoided or abandoned. The most common problem identified was maintaining Kinesio tape on the hands and fingers, to which the majority of participants expressed a desire to learn application. Discussion: Results of this study suggest that Kinesio tape is a positively perceived intervention for decreasing pain and increasing function for individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome and warrants further consideration as an alternative conservative intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Literature Review: Efektivitas Kinesio Taping dan Exercise terhadap Intensitas Nyeri pada Pasien Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

“…Berdasarkan penelusuran jurnal didapatkan hasil studi literatur yang diuraikan pada tabel 1 10 , penelitian Kaplan et al, 13 , dan penelitian Eraslan et al, 16 . Penelitian Krause et al, 10 melakukan identifikasi derajat nyeri secara kualitatif, menggunakan metode wawancara semi terstruktur pada 20 orang peserta. Hasil penelitian tersebut mendapati bahwa penggunaan KT selama 14 hari akan menurunkan derajat nyeri pasien CTS secara signifikan.…”

Non-Surgical Management and Post-Surgical Rehabilitation of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Algorithmic Approach and Practical Guideline

“…Today, Kinesio taping (KT) has become popular for several forms of musculoskeletal pain such as knee pain and shoulder pain (53,54). By either inhibition or facilitation of the primary pathology, it provides support and protection to the intended muscle by allowing an efficient and safe range of motion (55,56). Cochrane reviews related to KT in CTS patients but based on RCTs done so far are lacking.…”