The Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping for Athletes with Medial Elbow Epicondylar Tendinopathy

Abstract

Kinesio taping has also been used for athletes with Medial Elbow Epicondylar Tendinopathy (MET) as an additional treatment method. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical effectiveness of Kinesio tape on maximal grip strength and absolute and related force sense in athletes with MET when applied to the medial forearm. 27 male athletes who voluntarily participated in this study were divided into a healthy group (n=17) and a MET group (n=10). All subjects were assessed for the maximal grip strength and grip force sense (absolute and related force sense) under 3 taping conditions: 1) without taping; 2) with placebo Kinesio taping; and 3) with Kinesio taping. No significant interaction was found between groups and taping condition in maximal grip force and related force sense error, except for absolute force sense error (p=0.04). Both groups with absolute force sense measurements had significantly decreased errors in the placebo Kinesio taping and Kinesio taping conditions. Both taping may enhance discrimination of magnitude of grip force control (absolute force sense) in both groups when applied to the forearm. However, Kinesio taping did not change maximal grip strength in either group. The effects of Kinesio taping on other muscle functions remain to be studied.

Kinesio taping of the deltoid does not reduce fatigue induced deficits in shoulder joint position sense

“…Few studies have evaluated the effects of KT on proprioception, with diverse findings (13)(14)(15)(16)(17). The hypothesis of the present study, that KT would compensate for JPS deficits caused by muscle fatigue, was not confirmed.…”

“…Similar to conventional taping, proprioception improvement due to cutaneous mechanoreceptors stimulation is one of the effects attributed to KT (10). Few studies have evaluated the effects of KT on proprioception (13)(14)(15)(16)(17) and an improvement in grip force sense accuracy (13) and shoulder JPS (16) have been found after the application of KT in healthy subjects.…”

Kinesio taping in musculoskeletal pain and disability that lasts for more than 4 weeks: is it time to peel off the tape and throw it out with the sweat? A systematic review with meta-analysis focused on pain and also methods of tape application

“…The bulk of published literature does not favour the use of KT to improve range of motion,6 strength,7 8 proprioception9 and functional performance 10. However, there have been limited positive findings in terms of range of motion11 12 and strength 13.…”

Kinesio Taping and Jump Performance in Elite Female Track and Field Athletes

“…12 Rousanoglou et al 12 reported a significant relation between jumping height and strength of the knee-extensor muscles in young female volleyball players (P £ .05 and power of analysis >.80). However, findings are conflicting regarding the effects of KT on muscle strength 11,[13][14][15] and jumping, 11,16,17 with reported improvements in healthy participants 8,10,11,14 but not in athletes. 13,14 For instance, jump performance of healthy participants with no history of previous lowerextremity injuries was improved by using KT, 11 but this was not the case in male athletes.…”