Immediate effect of kinesio taping on pain and grip strength in individuals with lateral epicondylitis

Abstract

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) of elbow, involves tendinitis of the extensor carpi radialis brevis(ECRB). LE is characterised by superficial or deep macroscopic and microscopic tears at the tendinous origin of ECRB. Rigid taping has been proved effective in alleviating pain, improving muscle function and restoring functional movement patterns. Kinesiology taping (KT) has roughly the same thickness as the epidermis and can be stretched between 30% and 40% of its resting length longitudinally. Since KT is more user friendly and it support functions by maintaining active range of motion and without the circulation being repressed as compared to rigid taping, there is a need to study the effect of KT on grip strength and pain in subjects with LE. Aims and Objectives: 1. To report the pain pressure threshold of subjects in experimental and control groups before and after application of KT. 2. To determine the grip strength of subjects in experimental and control groups before and after treatment using KT. 3. To compare the values of pain pressure threshold and grip strength between experimental and control groups. Materials and Methods: Subjects satisfying the inclusion criteria were taken for the study by convenience sampling. The subjects of both groups were then assessed for pain and grip strength prior to the application of tape using a pain-pressure algometer and hand-held dynamometer respectively. Subjects in the experimental group were then applied with KT using muscle and space correction technique and the control group received sham taping. The outcomes were then re-assessed immediately after taping. Results: From the results obtained it was seen that there was a statistically significant difference (P Conclusion: The findings of the study indicates that, there is a significant improvement in pain pressure threshold and grip strength after the immediate application of KT in the experimental group as compared to the control group.