Effects of kinesio tape compared with non-elastic tape on hand grip strength

Efficacy of head postural correction program on craniovertebral angle, scapular position, and dominant hand grip strength in forward head posture subjects: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural disorder that alters shoulder function. This study examined the efficacy of a corrective program involving postural correction exercises (PCEs), scapular stabilization exercises (SSEs), and kinesiotaping (KT) on improving craniovertebral angle (CVA), scapular position, and dominant hand grip strength (HGS) in individuals with FHP.

METHODS

Sixty subjects (8 males and 52 females, 18-40 years old) were randomly allocated into four equal groups: Group A: received PCEs only, Group B: received PCEs and SSEs, Group C: received PCEs and KT, Group D: received PCEs, SSEs and KT. All subjects received treatment for 4 weeks (4 times/week) and postural advice. Outcome measures included cranio-vertebral angle (CVA), scapular position using Lateral Scapular Slide Test and dominant HGS using a CAMRY dynamometer that were assessed at baseline and 4 weeks post intervention.

RESULTS

Comparing all groups post training revealed that there were statistically significant increases (p < 0.05) in all measured variables (CVA, scapular position and dominant HGS) in favor of group (D).

CONCLUSION

Combination of PCEs, SSEs and KT interventions has achieved the best gains in terms of CVA, dominant HGS and regaining optimal scapular position in FHP subjects.

Efficacy of Kinesiotape to Improve Upper-Extremity Function in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the primary causes of physical disabilities in children that affects posture and movement. Upper-extremity (UE) function is frequently impaired, which may result in activity and participation limitations in people with CP. The use of kinesiotape (KT) has increased in the treatment of CP for various purposes. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of KT for improving UE function in children and adolescents with CP.

METHODS

The literature search was carried out in PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases. The methodological quality was analyzed with the PEDro scale. Review Manager (RevMan 5.4.1) was used for data extraction and risk of bias assessment.

RESULTS

A total of five randomized clinical trials were included. The use of KT showed improvement in UE functionality in three studies, with significant outcomes for range of motion (ROM) (three studies), fine motor skills (two studies), grip strength (one study) and manual dexterity (one study). Moreover, it also showed significant improvements in spasticity and gross motor function (one study). Overall, methodological quality was moderate, and the risk of bias was high in the domains related to blinding.

CONCLUSION

The use of KT showed improvement in UE function in children and adolescents with CP. However, further research is needed to reinforce the conclusions on the efficacy of KT as a therapeutic tool.

Immediate and localized effect of Kinesio tape on the hand grip strength of sedentary female adults

The current study aimed to assess the immediate and localized effect of Kinesio Taping (KT) on hand grip strength. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 sedentary female university students (aged 18-23) divided into two groups of 30 subjects each. The experimental group received KT with 50% tension of the tape on the forearm and 100% tension on the hand, and the control group received a placebo application of KT (KT without tension on the hand and forearm). Hand grip strength was assessed before and immediately after applying KT using a hand-held dynamometer with a one-minute rest between trials. The experimental group detected a significant improvement in hand grip strength during the post-intervention stage compared to the control group (mean difference 9.72 Lbs; 95% CI, -12.90 to -6.54; P<0.05) with a medium effect size. In addition, a significant improvement in handgrip strength was observed between pre-intervention and post-intervention in the experimental group (mean difference 6.5 Lbs.; 95% CI, -7.58 to -5.42; P<0.05) with a high effect size. However, the control group failed to show significant improvement in handgrip strength between pre-and post-intervention (P=0.666). KT application on the hand and forearm immediately augmented the hand grip strength of the dominant hand in sedentary female university students.

Influence of taping on force sense accuracy: a systematic review with between and within group meta-analysis

Taping is a common technique used to address proprioceptive deficits in both healthy and patient population groups. Although there is increasing interest in taping to address proprioceptive deficits, little is known about its effects on the kinetic aspects of proprioception as measured by force sense accuracy. To address this gap in the literature, the present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of taping on force sense accuracy. A search for relevant literature was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across seven databases and one register. Eleven studies with 279 participants were included in the review out of 7362 records. In the between-group analyses, we found a significant improvement in absolute (p < 0.01) and relative (p = 0.01) force sense accuracy with taping compared to no comparator. Likewise, a significant improvement in absolute (p = 0.01) force sense accuracy was also observed with taping compared to placebo tape. In the within group analysis, this reduction in the absolute (p = 0.11) force sense accuracy was not significant. Additional exploratory subgroup analyses revealed between group improvement in force sense accuracy in both healthy individuals and individuals affected by medial epicondylitis. The findings of this meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of studies and a lack of blinded randomized controlled trials, which may impact the generalizability of the results. More high-quality research is needed to confirm the overall effect of taping on force sense accuracy.

EFFECT OF WRIST WRAP IN HANDGRIP STRENGTH IN CROSSFIT

Objectives

Analyze wrist wrap influence on the values of maximum handgrip strength and dynamic resistance.

Methods

A controlled randomized cross-over trial including 54 Crossfit participants randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 began the series of tests with control wrapping, and Group 2 started with functional wrapping. Alternate series of four dynamic grip strength resistance tests were performed, and the resistance and fatigue values were calculated.

Results

The values obtained from the grip tests did not indicate any effect from the wrist wrap for an increase in maximum grip strength (35.7 vs. 35.6 kg; p=0.737) or greater endurance (78.2 vs. 77.8%; p=0.549). Fatigue was also equal in both groups (mean differences between the groups: 0.1 kg, CI= -0.7-0.8; p=0.779).

Conclusion

The hypothesis that using a wrist wrap increases maximum strength and dynamic handgrip endurance was rejected in this study. Evidence Level I; Randomized control trial .

Immediate effects of elastic tape application on the foot sole: a randomized controlled trial

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of elastic tape in increasing the dorsiflexion angle and plantar flexor strength in healthy individuals. [Participants and Methods] This randomized controlled trial included 24 healthy university students who were categorized into the following groups (12 participants in each group): the intervention group (elastic tape was applied to the dominant foot) and the control group (no intervention was performed). We performed intergroup comparison of the pre- and post-intervention dorsiflexion angles and plantar flexor strength. Additionally, we performed subgroup analyses based on a straight-leg raise angle of 70°. [Results] We observed no significant intergroup differences in the dorsiflexion angle or plantar flexor strength. However, the post-intervention dorsiflexion angle was significantly greater than the pre-intervention angle in the subgroup with a straight-leg raise angle of <70° among participants in the elastic tape group. [Conclusion] Elastic tape application may effectively increase the dorsiflexion angle in individuals without hamstring extensibility.

The Immediate Effect of Kinesiotaping on Handgrip Strength in Young, Healthy Men

Introduction: Kinesiotaping is a typical method used in physical therapy. It has the potential to boost muscle strength and performance when used properly The aim of the study is to determine the immediate effect of 35% tension Kinesiotaping on handgrip strength in healthy males. Methods: The study involved 60 healthy males (physical therapy students) between the ages of 20 and 23. The participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: the tension Kinesiotaping group (tKT), undergoing taping at a 35%tension, or the control group, receiving the identical taping technique but without tension. All participants' handgrip strength was measured using a hand-held dynamometre. The measurements were taken before and after taping for 30 minutes. Results: Only in the tension Kinesiotaping group was there substantial improvement in handgrip strength (tKT). There were no significant differences in the control group before and after 30 minutes (p=0.970), but significant results were noted in the tKT group after applying kinesiotape with a 35% tension (p<0.001). Conclusions: In healthy males, Kinesiotaping with a 35% tension causes an immediate increase in handgrip strength.

Effects of Forearm Compression Sleeves on Muscle Hemodynamics and Muscular Strength and Endurance Parameters in Sports Climbing: A Randomized, Controlled Crossover Trial

Purpose: Wearing compression garments is a commonly used intervention in sports to improve performance and facilitate recovery. Some evidence supports the use of forearm compression to improve muscle tissue oxygenation and enhance sports climbing performance. However, evidence is lacking for an effect of compression garments on hand grip strength and specific sports climbing performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects of forearm compression sleeves on muscular strength and endurance of finger flexor muscles in sports climbers.

Materials and Methods: This randomized crossover study included 24 sports climbers who performed one familiarization trial and three subsequent test trials while wearing compression forearm sleeves (COMP), non-compressive placebo forearm sleeves (PLAC), or no forearm sleeves (CON). Test trials consisted of three performance measurements (intermittent hand grip strength and endurance measurements, finger hang, and lap climbing) at intervals of at least 48 h in a randomized order. Muscle oxygenation during hand grip and finger hang measurements was assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy. The maximum blood lactate level, rate of perceived exertion, and forearm muscle pain were also determined directly after the lap climbing trials.

Results: COMP resulted in higher changes in oxy[heme] and tissue oxygen saturation (StO₂) during the deoxygenation (oxy[heme]: COMP –10.7 ± 5.4, PLAC –6.7 ± 4.3, CON –6.9 ± 5.0 [μmol]; p = 0.014, η_p² = 0.263; StO₂: COMP –4.0 ± 2.2, PLAC –3.0 ± 1.4, CON –2.8 ± 1.8 [%]; p = 0.049, η_p² = 0.194) and reoxygenation (oxy [heme]: COMP 10.2 ± 5.3, PLAC 6.0 ± 4.1, CON 6.3 ± 4.9 [μmol]; p = 0.011, η_p² = 0.274; StO₂: COMP 3.5 ± 1.9, PLAC 2.4 ± 1.2, CON 2.3 ± 1.9 [%]; p = 0.028, η_p² = 0.225) phases of hand grip measurements, whereas total [heme] concentrations were not affected. No differences were detected between the conditions for the parameters of peak force and fatigue index in the hand grip, time to failure and hemodynamics in the finger hang, or performance-related parameters in the lap climbing measurements (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions: Forearm compression sleeves did not enhance hand grip strength and endurance, sports climbing performance parameters, physiological responses, or perceptual measures. However, they did result in slightly more pronounced changes of oxy [heme] and StO₂ in the deoxygenation and reoxygenation phases during the hand grip strength and endurance measurements.

The Effects of Forearm Kinesio-Taping on Hand Grip Strength and Endurance in Female Squash Elites

Background: Hand grip plays a fundamental role in most daily and athletic activities of the upper extremities. Objectives: The study compared the effect of various methods of forearm Kinesio-taping (KT) on the hand grip strength and endurance of Iranian elite squash players during their sporting activities at different times. Methods: Thirty-three female squash players were assigned to a quasi-experimental study, and KT was applied on their dominant forearm (on the flexor area, on the extensor area, and placebo taping). Grip strength was evaluated before, immediately, 30, and 60 minutes after KT, and grip endurance was also assessed before and 60 minutes after KT using MIE digital grip analyzer. Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyze the results of grip strength, and ANOVA and the sample t-test were applied to analyze the grip endurance data. Results: The findings revealed no significant differences within the grip strength at different phases (P > 0.05). However, p values for the outcomes of KT on the flexor area‎, KT on the extensor area‎, and placebo mode were respectively 0.145, 0.178, 0.065 in each phase of the evaluation. A significant difference ‎among KT groups and the LSD test revealed a significant increase in grip endurance in the mode of KT on the extensor area, whereas there have been no significant differences in grip endurance in KT on flexor (P = 0.785) and extensor (P = 0.457) areas. Conclusions: There was no obvious superiority of the various methods of forearm ‎ KT ‎ on grip strength at different times; nevertheless, KT was an efficient method for retaining grip endurance in squash players with no significant differences between the flexor and extensor locations.

Acute effect of inhibitory kinesio-tape of the upper trapezius on lower trapezius muscle excitation in healthy shoulders

INTRODUCTION

Shoulder pain increases excitation of the upper trapezius (UT) and reduces excitation in the lower trapezius (LT). Despite inconclusive evidence, kinesio-tape (KT) is often used to modify muscular excitation within the UT and/or LT to help correct alterations in scapular position and motion associated with shoulder pain/injury. The objective of the current study was to determine if inhibitory KT to the UT acutely increases LT excitation and if load alters the magnitude of change in the excitation observed.

METHODS

Twenty-two (N = 22, 11 female) individuals with healthy shoulders (24 ± 3 years) completed 10 repetitions of an arm elevation task during 3 taping conditions (no-tape, experimental KT, sham KT) and 2 loading conditions (no load and loaded). Whole-muscle (mean grid) and spatial distribution (grid row) of LT excitation (root mean squared; RMS) was measured using a single high-density surface electromyography 32-electrode grid.

RESULTS

There was a main effect for loading condition on whole-muscle LT RMS, F (1, 19) = 38.038, p < .001, partial η² = 0.667. Whole-muscle LT RMS was significantly higher in the loaded condition (0.055 V ±0 .005) compared to the no-load condition (0.038 V ±0 .004). No effect of tape condition was observed on whole-muscle or spatial distribution of RMS.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that inhibitory KT to the UT does not alter whole-muscle excitation or shift the distribution of excitation within the LT during a repeated arm elevation task in healthy shoulders.

Taping for conditions of the musculoskeletal system: an evidence map review

Background

Taping is a common treatment modality used by many rehabilitation providers. Several types of tapes and taping methods are used in the treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain.

Purpose

To summarize and map the evidence related to taping methods used for various joints and conditions of the musculoskeletal system, and to provide clinicians and researchers with a user-friendly reference with organized evidence tables.

Data sources

The PEDro, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials, PubMed, and PROSPERO databases were searched from inception through October 31, 2019.

Study selection

Eligible studies were selected by two independent reviewers and included either systematic reviews (SRs) or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and included a musculoskeletal complaint using a clinical outcome measure.

Data extraction

Data was extracted by two investigators independently. Risk of bias and quality were assessed using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) for SRs or the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale for RCTs. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019122857).

Data synthesis

Twenty-five musculoskeletal conditions were summarized from forty-one SRs and 127 RCTs. There were 6 SRs and 49 RCTs for spinal conditions. Kinesio tape was the most common type of tape considered. Four evidence tables representing the synthesized SRs and RCTs were produced and organized by body region per condition.

Limitations

Inclusion of only English language studies. Also, the heterogeneous nature of the included studies prevented a meta-analysis.

Conclusions

There is mixed quality evidence of effectiveness for the different types of taping methods for different body regions and conditions. All of the SRs and RCTs found during our search of the taping literature have been organized into a series of appendices. A synthesis of the results have been placed in evidence tables that may serve as a useful guide to clinicians and researchers.

Acute effects of kinesio taping on muscular strength and endurance parameters of the finger flexors in sport climbing: A randomised, controlled crossover trial

Kinesio taping (KT) is a commonly used intervention in sports and, recently, KT has become popular among athletes competing in sport climbing and bouldering events. However, evidence on the effect of KT on grip strength and endurance is still controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate immediate effects of KT on muscular strength and endurance of the finger flexor muscles in sport climbers. Twenty recreationally-trained active sport climbers (10 men, 10 women) aged 28.5 ± 10.6 years performed one familiarisation trial and subsequently, in a randomised crossover design, two test trials either with (TAPE) or without (CONTROL) KT over the finger flexor muscles. Test trials consisted of three performance measurements (hand grip strength and endurance, finger hang, and lap climbing) at intervals of 48 h in a randomised order. We observed no significant differences in the parameters of hand grip peak force, fatigue index, finger hang time, lap climbing distance and time, or maximum blood lactate values after lap climbing between the TAPE and CONTROL trials (p > 0.05). The participants' climbing ability was significantly correlated with the intra-individual performance changes between the TAPE and CONTROL conditions for the fatigue index (r = -0.598, p = 0.005), but not in any of the other performance-related parameters. Therefore, KT over the finger flexor muscles neither enhanced hand grip strength and endurance nor the sport climbing performance parameters of finger hang, lap climbing distance and time, and maximum blood lactate values after lap climbing.

Rehabilitation Strategies Following Surgical Treatment of Upper Extremity Spasticity

Upper motor neuron injuries that occur in cases such as cerebral palsy, cerebrovascular accidents, and traumatic brain injury often have resulting upper extremity deformity and dysfunction. Multiple surgical options are available to improve upper extremity positioning, and, in some cases, motor control. Postoperative therapeutic management is imperative to assist the patient/caregiver in maximizing potential functional gains. This article provides an overview of postoperative guidelines for commonly performed surgeries to manage upper extremity dysfunction caused by spasticity and discusses acute management as well as therapeutic techniques for functional training and improved motor control.

NO EFFECT OF KINESIOLOGY TAPE ON PASSIVE TENSION, STRENGTH OR QUADRICEPS MUSCLE ACTIVATION OF DURING MAXIMAL VOLUNTARY ISOMETRIC CONTRACTIONS IN RESISTANCE TRAINED MEN

BACKGROUND

Kinesiology Tape (KT) is widely used in sports rehabilitation and by those performing physical activity, however, there is no consensus in the scientific literature about its effectiveness on performance, strength or muscle activation.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the acute effects of KT in static rest, and during knee extension maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) performance in resistance trained men.Study Design: Observational, descriptive, comparative.

METHODS

Eighteen young, healthy, trained males (age: 25 ± 6 years, height: 176.0 ± 5 cm, and mass: 81.8 ± 8.0 kg) volunteered to participate. Initially, they were in a relaxed sitting position of 90 degrees knee flexion with their limb supported by the machine lever arm to measure passive tension of the tissues of the knee joint. Then, they performed three MVIC trials of five seconds each with a three-minute rest between trials, in four randomized experimental conditions, with 10-min rest between conditions: (a) control, no taping; (b) Knee Sleeve; (c) KT; and (d) sham. During all MVICs, peak force, impulse, and muscle activation of the vastus lateralis (integrated electromyography [IEMG] and median frequency) were measured.

RESULTS

Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed no statistical differences between conditions for passive tension (p > 0.05), peak force (p > 0.05), impulse (p > 0.05), IEMG (p > 0.05), or median frequency (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

KT does not influence passive tension during static position at 90 degrees of knee flexion. KT does not affect quadriceps activation or force production during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction in the same position.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3a.