Kinesio taping is an effective stop-gap measure in alleviating the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis comes with periods of exacerbation of symptoms and therefore necessitates an effective stop-gap measure that will alleviate symptoms. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the comparative effects of sham taping and Kinesio Taping (KT) on pain and functional parameters in participants with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Setting and Design: This study design was a clinical control study. Materials and Methods: Thirty participants with KOA were assigned into two groups (Sham taping and KT) using consecutive sampling technique. Sham and KT were applied on the participants in the appropriate groups following baseline evaluation. Numerical Pain Intensity Scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Berg Balance Scale, and wet footprint were used to evaluate the pain, disability, balance, and gait parameters, respectively, both at baseline and immediately posttaping. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation whereas posttaping differences between the groups were compared using Mann–Whitney U- and independent t-test. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Both the Sham and KT groups had significant (P < 0.05) improvements in the outcome parameters, but analysis of the mean differences pre- and post-taping in the outcome variables showed KT as having better significant (P <.005) clinical effects in all the outcome parameters. Conclusion: KT alleviates pain, disability, and improves balance on immediate application to the knee of participants with osteoarthritis (OA). It is, therefore, recommended that physiotherapists prescribe KT to patients with knee OA as an immediate therapeutic modality to alleviate the symptoms.

Keywords

• Disability
• gait parameters
• Kinesio Taping
• osteoarthritis
• pain
• sham taping