Kinesio® Tex Tape: Valuable Conservative Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis?

Abstract

Purpose: To determine if Kinesio Taping® as a therapeutic intervention will decrease plantar pain and improve functional outcomes in individuals with plantar fasciitis (PF). Methods: 10 (7 F/3 M; mean age 40.3 years old) subjects reported for three sessions: baseline measurements, after 1 week of taping application, and after 3 weeks of taping application. At each session, the following data were collected: 1) Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSK US) imaging of plantar fascia thickness via a long-axis scan at the insertion of the calcaneus; 2) Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS); and 3) Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Scores (FAAM). At the initial session, patients were instructed on Kinesio Taping® protocol and supplied with enough product for daily re-application throughout the study. A 1-way ANOVA was used to compare the outcome measures from the three visits. Results: There was a trend towards significant decrease in thickness between the baseline and final measures (P=0.063). This study also revealed a significant and clinically meaningful decrease in NPRS scores (MCID=2) from baseline measurement to week 3 (P=0.031). No significant changes in FAAM scores for the ADL (P=0.639) or Sports (P=0.107) subscales were revealed over the treatment period. Conclusion: Kinesio Taping® may be considered an effective, conservative, and practical intervention in the treatment of plantar fasciitis for short-term pain relief when used with the exercise protocol. However a larger sample sized study with a control group is needed to warrant these results.