OBJECTIVE: Most biomechanical research on the application of Kinesio taping (KT) to the ankle joint focused on testing anticipated movements. However, ankle sprains frequently occur in real life in unanticipated situations, where individuals are unprepared and face sudden external stimuli. This situation is completely different from the anticipated situation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ankle KT application on the kinematic and kinetic characteristics of the knee and ankle joints during unanticipated jump tasks in collegiate athletes.
METHODS: Eighteen healthy collegiate athletes experienced three taping conditions in a randomized order: no taping (NT), placebo taping (PT), and KT, and performed unanticipated jump tasks. A 9-camera infrared high-speed motion capture system was employed to collect knee and ankle kinematic data, and a 3-dimensional force plate was utilized to collect knee and ankle kinetic data during the tasks.
RESULTS: During the right jumps, KT significantly increased peak knee flexion angle (P = 0.031) compared to NT and significantly decreased peak vertical ground reaction force (P < 0.001, P = 0.001) compared to NT and PT. During the left jumps, KT significantly reduced peak ankle inversion angle (P = 0.022, P < 0.001) and peak ankle inversion moment (P = 0.002, P = 0.001) compared to NT and PT.
CONCLUSIONS: During unanticipated jump maneuvers, KT reduced peak ankle inversion angle, peak vertical ground reaction force, and peak ankle inversion moment and increased peak knee flexion angle in collegiate athletes.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of hallux valgus (HV) on lower limb neuromuscular control strategies during the sit-to-stand (STS) movement, and to evaluate the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) intervention on these control strategies in HV patients.
METHODS: We included 14 young healthy controls (HY), 13 patients in the HV group (HV), and 11 patients in the HV group (HVI) who underwent a Kinesio taping (KT) intervention during sit-to-stand (STS) motions. We extracted muscle and kinematic synergies from EMG and motion capture data using non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF). In addition, we calculated the center of pressure (COP) and ground reaction forces (GRF) to assess balance performance.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the numbers of muscle and kinematic synergies between groups. In the HV group, knee flexors and ankle plantar flexors were abnormally activated, and muscle synergy D was differentiated. Muscle synergy D was not differentiated in the HVI group.
CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal activation of knee flexors and plantar flexors led to the differentiation of module D in HV patients, which can be used as an indicator of the progress of HV rehabilitation. KT intervention improved motor control mechanisms in HV patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of kinesio taping and an upper extremity function home program on the upper extremity function and self-efficacy of stroke patients, and to present therapeutic evidence for home program intervention to improve upper extremity function.
METHODS: First, 53 stroke patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: 26 experimental subjects and 27 controls. The experimental group performed kinesio taping on the dorsal part of the hand along with upper extremity functional training home program and the control group performed only upper extremity functional training home program. The intervention was conducted for a total of 30 sessions over 6 weeks. To evaluate changes in upper extremity function, wrist extensor muscle activation via the Surface Electromyography, the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory-9 (CAHAI-9), and the motor activity log (including amount of use and quality of movement) were evaluated. In addition, the Self-Efficacy Scale (SES) was evaluated to examine the change in the self- efficacy of the study subjects.
RESULTS: The experimental group participating in the kinesio taping and upper limb function home program showed a statistically significant improvement (P < .01) before and after the intervention in the Surface Electrography the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory-9 evaluation item in the upper limb function change. The SES evaluation, a self-esteem evaluation, also showed a statistically significant improvement (P < .01) before and after the intervention. Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory-9, motor activity log (quality of movement), and SES evaluation showed statistically significant differences (P < .05) between the experimental and control groups.
CONCLUSIONS: It was confirmed that the upper extremity function training home program performed in parallel with the kinesio taping technique had a positive effect on the recovery of upper extremity function and self-esteem in stroke patients. The kinesio taping technique provides stability to the wrist while performing a home program that patients can perform on their own at home and appears to improve upper extremity function more effectively than when performing the upper extremity function home program alone.

The importance of incorporating lumbo-pelvic stability core and controlling motor exercises in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) reinforces the use of strategies to improve biopsychosocial beliefs by reducing biomedical postulations. However, clinical practice guidelines recommend multimodal approaches incorporating exercise and manual therapy (MT), and instead reject the application of kinesiotape (KT) in isolation. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to analyze the effects of 12 weeks of exercises combined with MT or KT on perceived low back pain using the visual analog scale (VAS) and muscle electric activity measured with electromyography (EMG) of the rectus abdominis and multifidus in CLBP (mild disability) and to explore the relationship between the rectus abdominis and multifidus ratios and pain perception after intervention. A blinded, 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) was carried out, involving three parallel groups of patients with CLBP. The study was registered at Clinicaltrial.gov and assigned the identification number NCT05544890 (19/09/22). The trial underwent an intention-to-treat analysis. The primary outcome revealed a multimodal treatment program supplemented by additional therapies such as MT and KT, resulting in significant reductions in perceived low back pain. The subjective assessment of individuals with CLBP indicated no discernible distinction between exclusive core stability exercises and control-motor training when combined with MT or KT. Notably, our findings demonstrated positive alterations in both the mean and peak EMG values of the right rectus abdominis in the exercise group, suggesting a beneficial impact on muscle activation. This study focused on assessing the activation levels of the trunk musculature, specifically the rectus abdominis (RA) and multifidus (MF), in individuals with CLBP exhibiting mild disability according to the Oswestry Disability Index. Importantly, improvements in the VAS values were observed independently of changes in muscle electrical activity.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effects of ankle taping on lower extremity biomechanics related to injury development and how these effects change after sports-specific use.
METHODS: Randomized, repeated measures design with three conditions: Barefoot, tape applied fresh, and tape after sports-specific use (between-subject factor: sex).
METHODS: Twenty-five healthy participants (ten female) performed sports-specific movements, including running, drop jumping, and 180° change of direction, under the three conditions. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected using 3D motion capturing and force platforms.
RESULTS: Tape applied fresh and tape after sports-specific use significantly reduced peak ankle inversion. Biomechanical risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament or running overuse injuries were either unchanged or decreased with tape applied fresh, except for the peak loading rate of the resultant ground reaction force, which increased between 4% and 18% between movement types. After 15 minutes of sports-specific use of the tape, the alterations induced by tape applied fresh remained for some biomechanical risk factors while they became closer to barefoot again for others, indicating a differential response to prolonged use of taping for different biomechanical variables.
CONCLUSIONS: Ankle taping protects the ankle joint by reducing biomechanical risk factors associated with ankle sprains, and most biomechanical risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament or running overuse injuries are not increased. Further research is needed to explore the duration of protective effects, variations across sports, and its impact on patients with chronic ankle instability, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of ankle taping\'s influence on lower extremity biomechanics.

The use of Kinesiotaping (KT) has become common in the treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries. This article covers the ten main myths encountered on a daily basis, examining the evidence from recent data (systematic reviews and meta-analyses). With current available data, there is a relative evidence regarding some effect upon short-term pain relief, improved mobility, better joint stability, drainage of edema, and improve muscle function. Concerning the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries, it seems that the effectiveness of KT is still questionable. Overall, there are few publications with a high-level of evidence that can support all myths surrounding K-taping.
L’utilisation de kinésiotaping (KT) est devenue courante dans le traitement et la prévention des blessures musculosquelettiques. Cet article reprend les dix principaux mythes rencontrés au quotidien, en examinant les preuves à partir de données récentes (revues systématiques et méta-analyses) qui nous semblent, à ce jour, les plus pertinentes. Avec les données disponibles actuellement, il existe des preuves partielles d’un soulagement de la douleur à court terme, d’une amélioration de la mobilité, de la stabilité articulaire, de l’œdème et de la fonction musculaire. Concernant la prévention des lésions musculosquelettiques, il semble que l’efficacité du KT soit encore discutable. Dans l’ensemble, il y a peu de publications avec un haut niveau de preuves à ce sujet qui permettent d’étayer l’ensemble des mythes gravitant autour du KT.

UNASSIGNED: Kinesio tape (KT) is known to enhance tactile sensation. In stroke rehabilitation, KT is often used alongside conventional therapy (CT) to improve balance recovery.
UNASSIGNED: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of plantar KT in enhancing plantar tactile sensation (PTS) and balance ability in subacute stroke patients.
UNASSIGNED: In this randomized crossover trial, 22 subacute stroke participants were randomly assigned to receive no taping, paretic plantar KT, or bilateral plantar KT, with a 24-h washout period between each condition. All participants underwent 30 min of CT. The primary outcome was PTS, involving tactile sensitivity in five areas on the plantar surface and the contact area with the ground of the paretic foot. The one-leg stand (OLS) time, functional reach test (FRT), and timed up-and-go test (TUG) were employed as secondary outcomes.
UNASSIGNED: Paretic plantar KT application led to significant increases in the contact area, OLS, FRT, and TUG test times. Particularly, bilateral plantar KT showed significantly greater improvement in PTS compared to paretic plantar KT. Additionally, bilateral plantar KT significantly improved OLS (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.575), FRT (p < 0.001, η2 = 781), and TUG (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.771) times compared with paretic plantar KT.
UNASSIGNED: This study demonstrated that plantar KT improved PTS and balance ability in stroke rehabilitation. The findings suggest that bilateral plantar KT as an adjunct to CT may have a beneficial effect on balance recovery in patients with subacute stroke.
UNASSIGNED: Clinical trial KCT0009048.

UNASSIGNED: Impaired upper limb function in stroke survivors is characterized by muscle weakness, increased muscle tone, contracture, or impaired motor control.
UNASSIGNED: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Kinesio-taping application for functional recovery on the affected arm and forearm during rehabilitation.
UNASSIGNED: Forty-one patients eligible for this study were randomly assigned to either the Kinesio-taping group (n = 21), receiving Kinesio-taping intervention and conventional therapy, or control group (n = 20), receiving sham Kinesio-taping intervention and conventional therapy. The whole intervention lasted for 3 weeks. Fugl-Meyer assessment of the upper extremity, Barthel Index, the Stroke Impact Scale, and modified Ashworth scale were measured at 3 time points: baseline, post-treatment (3rd week), and follow-up (6th week).
UNASSIGNED: In the Kinesio-taping group, there were significant differences in the upper extremity (p = 0.003), wrist (p = 0.000) and hand (p = 0.000) parts of the Fugl-Meyer assessment of the upper extremity between the three assessment times. On the other hand, the Barthel Index showed significant differences in both groups after therapy.
UNASSIGNED: Combining conventional rehabilitation with Kinesio-taping intervention may improve functional motor performance of both the proximal and distal parts of the affected upper extremity in stroke survivors, with potential benefits for activity of daily living.

Taping is increasingly used to manage proprioceptive deficits, but existing reviews on its impact have shortcomings. To accurately assess the effects of taping, a separate meta-analyses for different population groups and tape types is needed. Therefore, both between- and within-group meta-analyses are needed to evaluate the influence of taping on proprioception. According to PRISMA guidelines, a literature search was conducted across seven databases (Web of Science, PEDro, Pubmed, EBSCO, Scopus, ERIC, SportDiscus, Psychinfo) and one register (CENTRAL) using the keywords \"tape\" and \"proprioception\". Out of 1372 records, 91 studies, involving 2718 individuals, met the inclusion criteria outlined in the systematic review. The meta-analyses revealed a significant between and within-group reduction in repositioning errors with taping compared to no tape (Hedge\'s g: -0.39, p < 0.001) and placebo taping (Hedge\'s g: -1.20, p < 0.001). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses further confirmed the reliability of the overall between and within-group analyses. The between-group results further demonstrated that both elastic tape and rigid tape had similar efficacy to improve repositioning errors in both healthy and fatigued populations. Additional analyses on the threshold to detection of passive motion and active movement extent discrimination apparatus revealed no significant influence of taping. In conclusion, the findings highlight the potential of taping to enhance joint repositioning accuracy compared to no tape or placebo taping. Further research needs to uncover underlying mechanisms and refine the application of taping for diverse populations with proprioceptive deficits.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of adjunct treatments combined with exercise to exercise alone in people with patellofemoral pain (PFP) and explore the quality of intervention descriptions in randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
METHODS: Systematic review.
METHODS: Seven databases were searched in November 2023.
UNASSIGNED: RCTs that evaluated the effectiveness of any adjunct treatment combined with exercise to exercise alone on self-reported pain and function in people with PFP.
RESULTS: We included 45 RCTs (2023 participants), with 25 RCTs (1050 participants) contributing to meta-analyses. Pooled analysis indicated very low-certainty evidence that neuromuscular electrical stimulation or monopolar dielectric diathermy combined with exercise leads to small and large improvements in self-reported pain when compared with exercise alone (standardised mean difference (95% CI)=-0.27 (-0.53 to -0.02) and -2.58 (-4.59 to -0.57), respectively) in the short-term. For self-reported pain and function, very low-certainty evidence indicates that knee taping, whole-body vibration, electromyographic biofeedback and knee brace combined with exercise do not differ from exercise alone. Interventions are poorly described in most RCTs, adjunct treatments scored on average 14/24 and exercise therapy 12/24 in the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist.
CONCLUSIONS: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation and monopolar dielectric diathermy combined with exercise seem to improve self-reported pain in people with PFP compared with exercise alone. Knee taping, whole-body vibration, electromyographic biofeedback and knee brace do not offer additional benefits to exercise alone. Most interventions are poorly described, which is detrimental to translating research knowledge into clinical practice.
UNASSIGNED: CRD42020197081.