Effects Of Kinesio Taping Research Articles

Effects of kinesio taping in patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

To assess the effects of kinesio taping on pain, oedema, range of motion, and joint function following knee or hip arthroplasty. Eight databases were searched up to 9 January 2024. Patients undergoing rehabilitation after knee or hip arthroplasty were included. The intervention group received kinesio taping with postoperative rehabilitation, while the control group received postoperative rehabilitation alone. Outcomes for knee arthroplasty patients, included pain, oedema, range of motion, and the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score. For hip arthroplasty, the outcome focused on pain. Eleven randomized controlled trials involving 774 participants met the inclusion criteria. In knee arthroplasty patients, kinesio taping significantly reduced pain (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.53, 95% CI -0.91 to -0.14, p = 0.007), and relieved thigh (SMD = -0.38, 95% CI -0.65 to -0.12, p = 0.005) and ankle circumferences (SMD = -0.53, 95% CI -0.95 to -0.12, p = 0.01). It improved the total range of motion (SMD = 1.26, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.60, p < 0.00001) and Hospital for Special Surgery knee score (SMD = 2.17, 95% CI 1.70 to 2.65, p < 0.00001). No significant pain intensity reduction was observed in hip arthroplasty patients (p = 0.25). Kinesio taping combined with postoperative rehabilitation effectively reduces oedema and pain, and improves joint function in knee arthroplasty patients, but does not alleviate pain in patients following hip arthroplasty.

Effectiveness of Physical Therapy with Kinesio Taping in the Treatment of Patients with Knee Ligament Injuries

Background. Kinesio taping is a therapeutic technique gaining popularity in knee injury treatment. The method is based on the use of a highly elastic adhesive material that allows free mobility of the treated body area. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesio taping in restoring joint functionality. Materials and Methods. A comparative analysis was conducted between two groups of patients: the control group (basic rehabilitation) and the experimental group (basic rehabilitation with kinesio taping). Results. At baseline, both groups had comparable clinical and functional indicators, including pain level, the Oswestry Disability Index, knee joint range of motion, and muscle strength. After the rehabilitation course, both groups demonstrated positive dynamics, with knee flexion amplitude improving by approximately 90% and extension by 70%. However, the kinesio taping group demonstrated statistically significant advantages: muscle strength increased by 36.46% (versus 14-17% in the control group), Lower Extremity Functional Scale scores improved by 44.55% (versus 5.33%), postural stability increased by 29.85% (versus 0.73%), and Hauser’s walking index improved by 30.51% (versus 3.33%). No statistically significant between-group differences were found in pain reduction (approximately 49% in both groups) and improvement in the Oswestry Disability Index (approximately 52%). Discussion. These results can be explained by the fact that kinesio taping provides additional proprioceptive stimulation and mechanical support during rehabilitation exercises, facilitating more effective recovery of muscle strength and postural control. Conclusions. The study confirms that incorporating kinesio taping into comprehensive rehabilitation program significantly enhances its effectiveness, particularly in restoring muscle strength, postural control and overall lower limb functionality, although showing no advantages in pain control or certain specific functional parameters compared to standard rehabilitation programs. These findings have important practical implications for optimizing rehabilitation protocols and rational use of kinesio taping in physical therapy for patients with knee ligament injuries.

Kinesio Taping does not Enhance Jump Performance and Muscle Activity in Female Athletes.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Kinesio Taping (KT) application on the single-leg counter-movement jump (CMJ) and surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity in trained female athletes, in both resting and fatigued states. In this single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial, twenty-four healthy trained female athletes were randomly assigned to either the KT (n=12) or the sham tape group (n=12). KT was applied using an inhibition technique on rectus femoris, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, and lateral gastrocnemius muscles of the dominant leg. A single-leg CMJ test and sEMG activity were recorded at baseline (no tape), as well as at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours after taping. To induce acute neuromuscular fatigue, a 30-second repetitive CMJ test was used to evaluate KT in fatigued states. In the resting states, both groups exhibited improvements in jump height, power, mean velocity, and sEMG activity (%EMGmax) over time, with no significant between-group differences. The single-leg CMJ performance was similarly decreased after the muscle fatigue protocol in both groups, showing no between-group differences. Our findings suggest that KT treatment does not appear to influence jumping performance, sEMG activity, or muscle fatigue in female athletes.

Effects of kinesio taping on lower limb biomechanical characteristics during dynamic postural control tasks in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

Previous studies have demonstrated significant biomechanical differences between individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and healthy controls during the Y-balance test. This study aimed to examine the effects of kinesio taping (KT) on lower limb biomechanical characteristics during the Y-balance anterior reach task in individuals with CAI. A total of 30 participants were recruited, comprising 15 individuals with CAI and 15 healthy controls. All participants were randomly assigned three taping conditions: no taping (NT), placebo taping (PT), and KT, followed by the Y-balance anterior reach task. Each condition was separated by one-week intervals. Kinematic and kinetic data of the lower limbs during the movement phase were collected using the Vicon motion capture system (Vicon, T40, 200 Hz) and two Kistler force platforms (Kistler, 1000 Hz). KT significantly improved the Y-balance anterior reach distance (P = 0.003) and peak ankle eversion angle (P = 0.019) compared to NT. Additionally, KT resulted in increased peak knee flexion angle (P = 0.002, P = 0.011) and peak ankle dorsiflexion angle (P <0.001, P = 0.005) relative to both NT and PT. KT also significantly reduced mediolateral center of pressure (COP) displacement (P = 0.001) and average velocity of mediolateral COP displacement (P = 0.033) in comparison to NT. Furthermore, KT decreased mediolateral center of gravity displacement (P = 0.002, P = 0.003) relative to both NT and PT. KT significantly improved abnormal ankle posture by promoting greater ankle dorsiflexion and eversion angles. Additionally, KT reduced mediolateral COP displacement and average velocity to improve postural stability. These changes may contribute to reduced risk of ankle sprains. Therefore, KT may serve as an effective tool for managing recurrent ankle sprains in individuals with CAI.

Immediate and short-term effects of kinesio taping on deep neck flexor endurance: a randomized controlled study

Purpose. The current study investigated the immediate and short-term effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on deep neck flexor endurance in healthy adults. Methods. The endurance of the deep neck flexor muscles was measured prior to, immediately following, and three days after KT application in a randomized controlled study involving 68 healthy adults who were blindly assigned to study and control groups. The experimental group was the first group, and the control group was the second. Results. Post-application of Kinesio taping in the experimental group showed a significant difference in the endurance score of the deep neck flexor muscles compared to pre-application, while the control group showed no significant difference. Conclusion. This study demonstrates the short-term and immediate benefits of Kinesio taping on the endurance of the deep neck flexor muscles in healthy adults.

Immediate effects of Kinesio taping on pain, proprioception, and posture in round shoulder individuals with subacromial impingement syndrome: A randomized, double-blinded controlled trial.

Round shoulder posture (RSP), characterized by forward shoulder positioning from weakened and tense muscles, disrupts normal biomechanics and can cause Subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS), resulting in pain during specific movements or positions. This study examines the immediate effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on pain, proprioception, and posture in individuals in round shoulder individuals with SIS. The study involved 114 patients diagnosed with RSP and SIS. Pain intensity was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), proprioception was measured with an inclinometer, and posture was evaluated using The New York Posture Rating Chart (NYPRC). Participants were randomly assigned to experimental group (EG) (n = 57), which received KT application, or to sham group (SG) (n = 57), which underwent a sham procedure. KT was applied to the affected shoulder and scapular regions. Assessments were conducted both before and after the application of Kinesio tape. According to the study results, the differences in VAS scores (P = .002), proprioception abduction (P = .023) and NYPRC scores (P = .04), were statistically significant in the EG compared to the SG (P < .05). However, there was no significant difference in proprioception flexion between the groups (P > .05). KT demonstrates immediate benefits in reducing pain and improving scapular alignment in individuals with RSP and chronic shoulder pain. These findings underscore its potential effectiveness as a therapeutic intervention for managing symptoms associated with RSP and impingement syndrome, particularly in terms of pain relief and posture enhancement.

A pilot study on effectiveness of Kinesio taping on foot pain at its worst and at morning in plantar fasciitis patients

A pilot study on effectiveness of Kinesio taping on foot pain at its worst and at morning in plantar fasciitis patients

The Effect of Kinesiology Taping on Posture, Balance, and Gait in Patients Suffering from Low Back Pain.

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of lost productivity, absenteeism, disability, and early retirement worldwide. LBP treatment should be comprehensive, including prevention, education, diagnosis, and various treatment methods. Management can be divided into pharmacological and non-pharmacological. The role of physiotherapy in the comprehensive treatment of LBP is very important. Elastic therapeutic tape, also called kinesiology tape or therapeutic kinesiology tape, has been used for about 50 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Kinesio taping in patients suffering from (LBP), and its possible effect on the swing of the center of pressure (COP), balance, gait, improvement of coordination, and pain reduction. A total of 60 patients aged 20 to 83 years (54% women) were examined, all of whom fulfilled the requirements for admission and rejection. The L1-L5 spine of the experimental group underwent Kinesio taping in addition to thorough rehabilitation. The control group underwent balance control training based on visual feedback (VFB). The research tools used included the Bohannon single-leg standing test, the FAC (Functional Ambulatory Category) scale, the Podsiadlo and Richardson Standing and Walking Test called "Timed Up and Go" (TUG), evaluation of lumbar spine movement, Lasegue's test and examination of neurological deficit symptoms, and self-assessment of pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The effects of Kinesio taping on pain, gait, coordination, postural control, and balance are statistically significant. The main parameter influencing the effects of Kinesio taping was age (below 55 years); this relationship was also observed in the control group. Kinesio taping is an effective method in the treatment of LBP. It improves postural control, balance, gait, coordination, and pain.

Effects of Kinesio tape on individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled study.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuromuscular disorder with an incidence rate of 4.9%. Research on the impact of Kinesio taping (KT) on electroneurography in individuals with CTS is limited, highlighting a significant gap in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of KT on palm numbness, pain intensity, hand grip strength, and median nerve electroneuromyography in individuals with mild to moderate CTS. This was a randomized, controlled, parallel design study. Twenty-seven participants diagnosed with CTS through hospital outpatient clinics were randomly assigned to either the control or KT group. The outcome measurements included hand grip strength, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), and electroneurography, assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. The statistical method used was non-parametric analysis, comparing differences with the median and interquartile range (IQR). Both the KT and control groups significantly improved the numbness grades, hand grip strength, and the BCTQ. The kinesio-taping group demonstrated an improvement in grip strength with a median increase of 2.21 kg (IQR: 0.65-3.79 kg), compared to the control group, which showed a median increase of only 0.70 kg (IQR: 0.22-1.45 kg). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.039), with an effect size of r = 0.33. This study suggested that KT can be a supplementary treatment to relieve pain intensity, enhance hand grip strength, and improve sensory conduction velocity, motor latency, and motor amplitude. https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN82192319, ISRCTNregistry (No. ISRCTN82192319).

The effect of home exercises with kinesiotaping on pain, functionality, and work performance in bus drivers with non-specific neck pain.

Clinical research on the management and rehabilitation of work-related upper spinal pain in bus drivers is sparse, indicating a gap in knowledge and treatment strategies. This highlights the growing need for innovative approaches to rehabilitation programs in this area. To examine the effects of kinesio taping (KT) on pain, functionality, and work performance in bus drivers experiencing neck pain. The study involved 44 participants who were randomised into two different groups: the exercise group (n= 22) and the kinesio tape group (n= 22), with participants in both groups undertaking exercise interventions. Evaluations were made before and after 6 weeks of treatment. At the end of the 6-week, the participants' ROM, pain evaluations and functional scales were evaluated with disability, and work functionality. Neck pain severity decreased in both groups (p< 0.001 for each value), but there was no difference between the groups (p: 0.071). When disability scores were evaluated, improvement was noted in both groups (p: 0.001 for each value), but no statistically significant difference was found (p: 0.754). When the improvements in ROM values before and after the treatment were examined, the difference between the groups was recorded only in the neck extension ROM value (p: 0.011). Significant improvement was noted in all sub-steps of job performance in both groups (p< 0.05). KT added to ergonomic training and home exercise programmes is effective in controlling work-related musculoskeletal pain in drivers with neck pain. However, the addition of KT to exercise therapy was found to be no more effective than exercise therapy alone in improving pain control, functionality and work performance.

Immediate Effects of Kinesio Taping on Muscle Power and Muscle Tone after Succession Eccentric Contraction in Young Adults

Immediate Effects of Kinesio Taping on Muscle Power and Muscle Tone after Succession Eccentric Contraction in Young Adults

Effectiveness of Maitland Mobilizations Along with Kinesio Taping on Reducing Pain and Disability in Subjects with Periarthritis Shoulder

Background: Frozen shoulder is a condition in which insidious and progressive pain and loss of active and passive mobility are manifested in the glenohumeral joint, presumably due to capsular contracture. Diabetes mellitus patients are more affected. Various methods were effective in treating frozen shoulder. The present study was done in frozen shoulder patients to determine the additional effect of Kinesio taping and Maitland mobilization in managing frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder tends to develop in three phases, coming on slowly. Each stage may last several months. Method: The present study included 30 subjects with frozen shoulder. The individuals were randomly divided into 2 groups. GROUP A-experimental group, which received Maitland mobilization and Kinesiotaping treatment, while GROUP B is the control group that received only Maitland mobilization. Both groups first received hot moist packs for 20 minutes and an ultrasound for 5 minutes. Exercises were advised. Subjects received 4 weeks of intervention for 3 days/week. Before and after the intervention, SPADI outcome measures were measured. Result: There was a significant difference showing improvement in the mean of shoulder pain and disability index scale SPADI before and within the groups with p&lt;0.0001. There was a statistical difference when post-intervention means were compared between the groups. Conclusion: Maitland mobilization with Kinesiotaping reduces pain and disability in subjects with peri-arthritis shoulder. KEYWORDS: Frozen shoulder, Maitland mobilization, Kinesiotaping, Shoulder pain and disability index scale (SPADI).

Effects of Kinesio-taping and rigid-taping on vertical jump in individuals with pes planus: A randomised crossover comparison.

The effects of Kinesio-taping (KT) and rigid-taping (RT) on vertical jump performance have been investigated; however, remain unclear. The study was designed to compare the effects of KT and RT on vertical jump in individuals with pes planus. A total of 74 participants were diagnosed with pes planus. The foot posture index (FPI) was used to determine pes planus. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. Before taping, the vertical jump height and power were measured using a VertiMetric device as baseline data. Jump measurement was repeated after Kinesio-taping (KT) and rigid taping (RT) application to group 1 and group 2 respectively in the first period and after crossing in the second period following a 1-week washout. Crossover and equivalence analyses were used for data analysis. KT and RT showed a statistically significant increase in jump height and power. However, the effect of the RT was higher compared to KT (p < 0.05). While both taping techniques increased jump height and power, RT was more effective than KT in improving jumping performance in individuals with pes planus, possibly because of its direct supporting function on the MLA. RT may also improve performance in various sports or clinical settings to accelerate recovery after injury or lower the risk of injury caused by poor foot posture.

Biomechanical Analysis of Rectus Femoris Kinesio Taping Effects on Post-Muscle Fatigue Stop-Jump Task Performance

Objectives: This study aims to compare the effects of kinesio tape (KT) on the rectus femoris muscle in athletes and novices under pre- and post-fatigue conditions. Methods: Nineteen male volunteers took part, and fatigue was assessed using the Borg CR10 Scale. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using Vicon MX13+ infrared cameras (250 Hz) and Kistler force platforms (1500 Hz), respectively. Visual 3D v5.0 software analyzed the data, focusing on parameters like angular displacement, ground reaction forces (GRFs), impulse, and joint moments during a stop-jump task. A two-way mixed-design ANOVA was used to assess group, fatigue, and KT effects. Results: There was a significant effect after applying KT. The results showed significant differences in knee flexion range of motion (ROM), hip flexion moment, vertical impulse, and peak vertical GRFs between pre- and post-fatigue conditions (all p &lt; 0.05). The trained group exhibited less knee valgus ROM, higher hip flexion velocity at initial contact, and prolonged time to peak proximal tibia anterior shear force. Conclusions: KT application was found to reduce lower limb loading, improve force acceptance and joint stability, and alleviate fatigue-induced disparities. These findings highlight the potential of KT in enhancing lower limb strength and performance, particularly under fatigue.

Three-dimensional Morphometric Analysis of the Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on Postoperative Discomfort Following Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Split-mouth Study.

This study investigates the efficacy of Kinesio taping (KT) in reducing postoperative discomfort, including edema, trismus, and pain, following mandibular third molar extraction. A prospective randomized split-mouth design was employed, involving 7 patients with impacted mandibular third molars. KT was applied immediately postsurgery, and outcomes were assessed on the third and seventh postoperative days using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, 3D morphometric analysis for swelling, and caliper measurements for trismus. Results showed significant reductions in pain, swelling, and trismus on the KT-treated side compared with the control side. The most notable differences were observed on day 7, where KT demonstrated superior effectiveness in alleviating symptoms. The control group showed improvement over time, but the KT-treated group experienced faster and more pronounced recovery. In conclusion, KT proved to be a safe and effective method for improving postoperative recovery following mandibular third molar surgery, offering a low-cost, accessible option to enhance patient comfort and quality of life.

Comparative analysis of Kinesio taping and dry-needling: effects on pain and disability in patients with mechanical low back pain

Background &amp; Objective: Low back pain (LBP) is an ever-increasing menace in the young men as well as women. Many factors causing it have been identified, the most common being improper spinal posture. LBP has been targeted by physicians, anesthetists, surgeons and rehabilitation medicine specialists. We compared the effects of Kinesio Taping and dry needling on pain reduction and disability improvement in patients diagnosed with mechanical chronic LBP. Method: A randomized control trial (RCT) was conducted at Rawal General and Dental Hospital and Al-Nafees hospital in Islamabad from January 2020 to October 2021. Probability-based sampling method was used to select participants for the study (simple random sampling). Thirty patients, aged 18 to 75 y were included. Sample size was calculated with Epitools. The selected patients were divided in two groups i.e., 15 patients in the Kinesio taping group (KT group) and 15 in the dry needling group (DN group). Two patients in the needling group were dropped. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Roland-Morris Disability Index Questionnaire (RMDQ) were used to assess the pain and the disability at baseline, two weeks post-intervention and four weeks post-treatment. Chi-Square test was use to find association. Results: The mean age of the patients was 39.60 ± 13.69 y for KT group and 37.15 ± 12.54 y for DN group. The mean BMI for KT group was 27.15 ± 6.70 kg/m2 and for DN group 27.52 ± 5.13 kg/m2. Before treatment, there were no differences between the groups for NPRS and RMDQ. Both dry needling and Kinesio taping produced significant improvements in NPRS and RMDQ after two and four weeks of treatment (P &lt; 0.05). However, statistical analysis results showed that there was no association between pain and disability in patient with non-specific low back pain. (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: Both, Kinesio taping and dry needling, significantly reduced pain and disability after two- and four-weeks treatment in patients with low back pain, but there was no statistical differences between the pain and disability in both groups. Keywords: Disability; Dry Needling; Kinesio Tape; Low Back Pain; Numeric Pain Rating Scale; Physiotherapy Citation: Asad A, Irshad A, Hassan T, Kiran Q, Kouser S, Hassan F. Comparative analysis of Kinesio taping and dry-needling: effects on pain and disability in patients with mechanical low back pain. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2024;28(5):933−938; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v28i5.2561 Received: April 26, 2024; Reviewed: July 16, 2024; Accepted: July 18, 2024

Immediate Effects of Kinesio Tape and Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Pain and Proprioception in Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of single-session Kinesio Tape (KT) and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) interventions on pain and proprioception in patients with chronic neck pain (CNP). MethodsForty patients with CNP aged 21 to 44 years were included in this study. The participants were divided into 2 groups as the IASTM and KT groups. The participants in the KT group took part in one session of KT application to the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, while those in the IASTM group took part in one session of IASTM application to the same muscles. The pain levels of the participants during activity were recorded using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and their cervical region proprioception levels were assessed using the Cervical Range of Motion device. Pain severity and proprioception were assessed before and after the interventions. ResultsNo statistically significant difference was found between the pretreatment pain and proprioception values of the 2 groups (P > .05). After the treatments, there was a significant improvement in proprioception in both groups (P ≤ .001). Similarly, there was a significant improvement in VAS values in both groups after the treatments (P ≤ .001). The VAS and proprioception values of the 2 groups were not significantly different in the post-treatment measurements (P > .05). ConclusionIt was concluded that the IASTM and KT interventions had an immediate effect on pain and proprioception in the participants who had CNP, while neither intervention was superior to the other.

Immediate effects of Kinesio taping and Dynamic taping on acromiohumeral distance in individuals with symptomatic rotator cuff tendinopathy

BackgroundIt has been suggested that the reduction in subacromial space during arm elevation is one of the potential mechanisms in the etiology of Rotator cuff tendinopathy. While it is known that Kinesio taping reduces the narrowing of the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) during arm elevation, the effect of Dynamic taping remains unknown. PurposeThis study aimed to compare the immediate effects of Kinesio taping and Dynamic taping on AHD in individuals with symptomatic Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy. Study DesignTwo group pre-post-test repeated measures design was used. MethodsThirty-two participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Kinesio taping group (n = 16) and Dynamic taping group (n = 16). AHD measurements were taken via ultrasound at 0° (rest) and 60° shoulder abduction both before and immediately after taping. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for statistical analyses. ResultsThe study demonstrated that both taping methods led to a significant increase in AHD at both neutral and 60° abduction. However, the increase in AHD with Dynamic taping was statistically greater than with Kinesio taping in both neutral (p < 0.05) and 60° abduction (p < 0.001). ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest that Dynamic taping techniques may be a more effective approach for improving AHD for symptomatic patients. Therefore, Dynamic taping has the potential to be clinically beneficial before engaging in exercises.

Comparing repeated end range movements and Kinesio taping effects on head and neck movement pattern and discomfort in smartphone users

IntroductionUsing smartphones has increased exponentially, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a relationship between neck flexion angle during working with a smartphone and neck musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, this study compares the effect of Kinesio taping and Repeated End Range Movements (RERM) on head and neck flexion angles changes during texting and discomfort after texting with a smartphone. MethodTwenty-four smartphone users participated in this cross-over study. All of 24 subjects were experimented with the control, RERM and taping conditions. They filled Numeric Rating Scale questionnaire before and after 30 min of texting. In addition, their head and neck flexion angles were measured during the task by photogrammetry. ResultsIn the RERM group, individuals felt significantly less discomfort than the control group after the task (P = 0.032). Although the slope of average head and neck flexion angles linear regression lines of all the three groups was positive before the break time, it became negative in the taping and control groups after the break time. In addition, the linear regression of average head and neck flexion angles of the RERM group was significantly different (P < 0.001). ConclusionRERM can effectively maintain normal head and neck movement pattern during and reduce neck discomfort after texting on smartphone.

Three-Dimensional Assessment of the Effects of Kinesio Taping on Mandibular Condylar Volume with Skeletal Class II Malocclusions

This study aimed to perform a three-dimensional assessment of the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on mandibular condylar volume during Twin Block (TB) appliance therapy in individuals with skeletal Class II malocclusions. Thirty children (16 female, 14 male) aged between 10 and 15 years (12.80 ± 1.08) who were scheduled for TB therapy were randomly assigned to two groups of 15 patients each. One group (Group 1) received KT on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area with TB therapy while the other group (Group 2) only received the TB. KT was applied in cycles of 3 days, followed by 1 day off for 3 months. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scanning before KT and TB therapy (T0) and 3 months later (T1). Changes in right and left condylar volumes were measured (cm3) using a GE Advantage Workstation (General Electric Medical Systems, USA) and compared between the two groups using the Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The KT group showed a significant differences in condylar volumes for both right (mean 0.13; p = 0.015; [0.04: 0.22]) and left condyle (0.30; p = 0.001; [0.18: 0.42]) from baseline (T0) to 3 months (T1). The comparisons between Group 1 and Group 2 revealed no statistically significant difference in initial and final condylar volumes for both the right (0.13; p &gt; 0.05; [−0.16: 0.09]) and the left condyle (0.30; p &gt; 0.05; [−0.04: 0.42]). Kinesio taping, which demonstrated a relative and slight increase on condylar volume, may provide clinical benefits such as a reduction in the duration of functional appliance use, decreased risk of relapse, and effective correction of overjet.