The clinical effects of Kinesio^® Tex taping: A systematic review

Abstract

Kinesio^® Tex tape (KTT) is used in a variety of clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of KTT from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the management of clinical conditions. A systematic literature search of CINAHL; MEDLINE; OVID; AMED; SCIENCE DIRECT; PEDRO; www.internurse.com; SPORT DISCUS; BRITISH NURSING INDEX; www.kinesiotaping.co.uk; www.kinesiotaping.com; COCHRANE CENTRAL REGISTER OF CLINICAL TRIALS; and PROQUEST was performed up to April 2012. The risk of bias and quality of evidence grading was performed using the Cochrane collaboration methodology. Eight RCTs met the full inclusion/exclusion criteria. Six of these included patients with musculoskeletal conditions; one included patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema; and one included stroke patients with muscle spasticity. Six studies included a sham or usual care tape/bandage group. There was limited to moderate evidence that KTT is no more clinically effective than sham or usual care tape/bandage. There was limited evidence from one moderate quality RCT that KTT in conjunction with physiotherapy was clinically beneficial for plantar fasciitis related pain in the short term; however, there are serious questions around the internal validity of this RCT. There currently exists insufficient evidence to support the use of KTT over other modalities in clinical practice.

Acknowledgments

Three of the authors have been on Kinesio^® taping courses (DM, DJ, HR) as paying clinician attendees.

Declaration of interest: This study was funded by Teesside University. No financial support was received from any commercial company. The authors declare no competing interests.

Notes

Kinesion UK (http://www.kinesiotaping.co.uk/tapingmethod.jsp) (website accessed on 12.03.12).

Kinesion UK (http://www.kinesiotaping.co.uk/history.jsp) (website accessed on 12.03.12).

http://www.kinesiotaping.co.uk/history.jsp (website accessed on 12.03.12).