EFFECT OF KINESIO TAPING IN SUBJECTS WITH UPPER QUADRANT POSTURAL DYSFUNCTION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Abstract

Purpose: Kinesio taping is most widely used to correct postural dysfunction. Forward head and rounded shoulder posture (RSP) are common postural dysfunctions in the upper quadrant. Despite claims that Kinesio taping can be used to correct upper quadrant postural dysfunction, this seems to be controversial. Thus, our purpose is to determine the effect of Kinesio taping in subjects with upper quadrant postural dysfunction. Methods: The electronic databases searched include PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane and PEDro were searched from April 2001 to April 2023. Studies searched were included if they met the eligibility criteria. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used to assess the risk of bias. RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Results: Nine RCTs involving 293 participants were included. The present meta-analysis demonstrated significant differences between Kinesio taping groups and control groups in terms of forward shoulder angle (FSA). No significant difference was found regarding craniovertebral angle (CVA) and pain. Conclusion: In subjects with RSP, Kinesio taping is beneficial in correcting FSA and does not show improvement in CVA and pain. The findings of this meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution due to the low quality of the evidence.