Facilitatory Effects of Kinesio Taping on Forearm Extensors in Improving Hand Grip and Pinch Grip Strength

Abstract

Kinesio taping methods are widely used in sports and in rehabilitation as a means to improve muscle strength. The present study aims to determine the immediate and delayed, facilitatory effects of kinesio taping on forearm extensors in improving hand grip and pinch grip strength on normal, healthy, female young adults. Forty two female collegiate were randomly selected and were assigned randomly to Kinesio taping and no taping (control) group. Hand grip strength using hand held dynamometer and pinch grip strength using a pinch grip manometer were measured before and immediately after the application of kinesio taping. Measurements were also recorded after 24 hours and 48 hours of application of kinesio tape and results compared with control group. Independent t-test was used to determine the changes between the groups and repeated measures ANOVA for differences within the groups at different time periods (p<0.05). While no significant differences were observed in the improvement of pinch grip strength between the groups, hand grip strength showed improvement in kinesio taping group after 48 hours of application (p=0.015). Significant differences were observed in hand grip (F=5.586, p=0.002) and pinch grip strength (F=3.871, p=0.011) in kinesio taping group when compared for changes within the group at different time periods while control group showed no significant difference. Although kinesio taping improved forearm extensor muscle strength compared to pre-taped condition within group, it is not better than control group in improving hand grip and pinch grip strength.