We adopted a within-subjects quasi-experimental approach to assess the impact of kinesio taping (KT) on joint range of motion (ROM), static balance, and dynamic balance. The research subjects were 15 patients who had, within the previous 3 weeks, undergone total knee replacement (TKR) by an orthopedic surgeon in 2022. We measured the ROM, static balance, and dynamic balance of the knee joint before and after applying KT. We then compared the pre- and post-tape measurements to assess the effects of KT on joint function and balance. The ROM of the knee joint was measured using a goniometer in the supine position before the KT application. The static and dynamic balance were assessed using a balance assessment device by measuring the sway area and length of the center of gravity during the measurement period. The effects of KT on the ROM and static and dynamic balance of the knee joint were investigated. The differences in joint ROM and static and dynamic balance between pre- and post-KT applications were analyzed using a paired-sample t-test. This study found that the ROM of the knee joint was significantly increased after applying KT. For static and dynamic balance, both the sway area and length of the center of gravity decreased after applying KT, indicating a significant improvement in static and dynamic balance. KT, when combined with standard physiotherapy, can be a useful therapeutic approach for TKR patients, effectively enhancing joint ROM and balance function.

Background and Objectives: Rotator cuff tendonitis (RCT) is one of the most common shoulder pathologies. It causes pain, limits shoulder joint movements, and impairs function. Despite various treatment methods, there are currently no specific guidelines regarding the most effective intervention for RCT. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have compared the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) and cold therapy (CT) on individuals with RCT. To this end, this study aimed to investigate and compare the short-term effects of KT and CT on pain relief and upper extremity functionality in individuals with RCT. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fourteen individuals were assessed for eligibility. Fifty-two individuals with RCT who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate were randomly allocated into either the KT or the CT group. A standardized home exercise program was given to all the participants. Their pain intensity, upper extremity function, shoulder range of motion (ROM), and grip strength were evaluated initially and after the three days of KT or CT applications. Results: All the assessment values significantly improved in the KT group. In the CT group, only the pain scores (except for the numerical rating scale (NRS) pain score during activity) were significantly improved in the CT group at the end of the third day of application compared to the initial values (p < 0.05). For all the measurement outcomes, the effects of time × group interactions were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in favor of the KT group, except for the resting pain (p = 0.688). Conclusions: The findings suggest that KT and CT could be used as adjunctive modalities to exercise for resting and night pain relief in patients with RCT. KT also had positive effects on the activity pain, function, ROM, and grip strength. The use of KT along with an exercise program could be a more effective therapeutic choice than the use of CT for improving night pain, activity pain, and upper extremity function during the short-term rehabilitation of RCT patients.

Deep burns damage the reticular dermis and may lead to the formation of hypertrophic scars. Compression therapy reduces local vascularity and realigns collagen fibers, resulting in esthetic and functional improvements. This study evaluated the effect of Kinesio tape compression with maximum mechanical tension on vascularity, pliability and the height of hypertrophic scars following deep burns. A single blind, randomized pilot clinical trial was carried out. The elastic compression of Kinesio tape was applied at maximum stretch in the intervention group (n=11) and no stretch in the sham group (n=11). Vascularity, pliability and height (the primary outcomes) were evaluated at 0, 45 and 90 days using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). The association between the VSS scores, the intervention and the evaluation moment were analyzed using linear mixed-effects regression models, while comparisons of means between the groups were performed using the t Student test was. Significance was set at 5%. The mean VSS scores were similar between the groups. Significant improvement occurred in both groups when post-treatment and baseline scores were compared. No further improvement was found in the vascularity, pliability or height of hypertrophic scars resulting from deep burns when an elastic compression of Kinesio tape was used at maximum tension compared to lesser mechanical tension.

Following the expansion of interdisciplinary communication among rehabilitative service providers, new techniques have been introduced for treating swallowing disorders. Kinesio taping (KT) is one of the recently noticed techniques in the rehabilitation of swallowing and feeding disorders. Given the novelty of this technique in research and practice, the present scoping review aimed to summarize the available evidence on the effects of KT on the oropharyngeal function related to swallowing, and to identify current knowledge gaps to guide future studies. The initial comprehensive search was conducted in the six databases in November 2022 and then was updated in June 2023. Studies were independently reviewed by two authors to exclude all types of reviews and study protocols, studies published only in an abstract form and also studies that used KT for improving voice and dysarthria symptoms. The methodology of the included studies was also critically appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) standard tools by two authors. The results of the studies were categorized and reported based on their overall objectives. In final analysis, 21 articles were described. Study designs ranged from randomized control trials (RCTs) to the case reports. The effects of KT had been investigated on drooling, oral feeding skills of infants, immediate activation of swallowing muscles, and management of dysphagia in patients with stroke or cerebral palsy (CP). Although innovative approaches to use KT as a therapeutic method in swallowing disorders have been investigated in the studies, there are many methodological limitations that affected validity of the results. In general, it seems there is not enough evidence to add KT to the usual management of feeding and swallowing disorders yet. Further studies, therefore, are required to achieve more accurate conclusions in each of the objectives summarized in this study.

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.

A prevalent overuse injury among athletes, especially to those participating in sports like volleyball that demand repeated overhead motions, is biceps tendinopathy. The painful condition known as biceps brachii tendinopathy is characterized by changes in the structure of the tendon together with chronic degeneration. Furthermore, the biceps aid in the acceleration and deceleration of the arm in numerous overhead sports. The biceps may experience excessive strain as a result of poor training or exhaustion. It is commonly known that the long head of the biceps tendon plays a significant role in producing pain, particularly when it comes to anterior shoulder discomfort and dysfunction in athletes and working people. Athletes\' biceps tendon conditions fall into three broad categories: degeneration, instability, and abnormalities that are of source. This case details the use of kettlebell eccentric exercise and kinesio taping in the rehabilitation of a young volleyball player with biceps tendinopathy. The four primary aspects of the rehabilitation regimen were kinesio taping, pain management and rest, eccentric training with kettlebells, and initial assessment and patient education. Kettlebell eccentric training was used to enhance eccentric strength and encourage tendon remodeling, and kinesio taping was used to give pain relief and structural stability. This case study emphasizes the value of an all-encompassing rehabilitation strategy catered to the unique requirements of every athlete by demonstrating the effectiveness of kinesio taping and eccentric exercise with kettlebells in the treatment of biceps tendinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Neck pain constitutes a prevalent and burdensome health issue, substantially impairing patients\' quality of life and functional capabilities. Kinesio taping (KT), a commonly employed intervention within physical therapy, holds promise for mitigating such symptoms; however, a comprehensive evaluation of its efficacy and evidence base is lacking. Therefore, this study endeavors to systematically investigate the therapeutic effects of KT on both subjective neck pain intensity and objective measures of physical activity limitations through a rigorous meta-analytic approach. By synthesizing existing literature and scrutinizing methodological nuances, we aim to furnish healthcare practitioners with evidence-informed insights, facilitating more judicious clinical decision-making and optimizing patient outcomes.
METHODS: According to the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted searches on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of KT in treating neck pain. Screening was performed based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Characteristics of the included RCTs were extracted. Trial heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17 software. Risk of bias and methodological quality were evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the PEDro scale, respectively.
RESULTS: In our analysis of 10 RCTs involving 620 patients meeting our inclusion criteria, KT demonstrated significant beneficial effects on neck pain, notably surpassing conventional treatment (weighted mean difference = -0.897, 95% CI -1.30 to -0.49, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis further revealed that KT exhibited particularly pronounced efficacy in the treatment of nonspecific neck pain and mechanical neck pain, with a more substantial effect observed after 4 weeks of KT intervention compared to 1 week. Moreover, KT demonstrated superior efficacy in alleviating pain symptoms compared to both conventional treatment and sham interventions.
CONCLUSIONS: KT has demonstrated efficacy in reducing neck pain and improving cervical dysfunction among patients. Prolonged KT treatment or its combination with other therapeutic modalities may potentially enhance therapeutic outcomes.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO CRD42024524685.

BACKGROUND: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a benign proliferative disorder that affects the synovial joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths. To date, few studies have reported on the treatment of postoperative pain and edema in patients with PVNS. Herein, we present the case of a woman who developed pain and edema in the left lower limb 1 wk after synovectomy and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and was unable to walk due to limited flexion and extension of the left knee.
METHODS: A 32-year-old woman underwent synovectomy and arthroscopic partial meniscectomy successively and was treated with a combination of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and kinesio taping (KT) in our hospital to alleviate postoperative pain and edema. The following parameters were assessed at 2 wk post-treatment and 1 wk post-discharge follow up: suprapatellar circumference, infrapatellar circumference, visual analog scale score, knee range of motion, pittsburgh sleep quality index score, hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA) score, and hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) score. After treatment, the postoperative pain and edema in the patient\'s left knee were effectively relieved, resulting in improved sleep quality and remarkably attenuated HAMA and HAMD scores.
CONCLUSIONS: Combined MLD and KT may be an effective approach for relieving postoperative pain and edema in patients with PVNS.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of Kinesio taping along with routine physical therapy on improving gross motor function in sitting and standing among spastic diplegic Cerebral Palsy children.
METHODS: Randomized controlled trial.
METHODS: University Teaching Hospital University of Lahore, Lahore.
METHODS: 53 participants with diagnosed spastic diplegic cerebral palsy were randomly allocated in control and experimental groups.
METHODS: 26 Participants were treated by kinesio taping which was applied in a criss-cross manner along with routine physical therapy program while the control group (n = 27) received NDT exercise program that comprises of stretching, functional reaching, weight-bearing exercises and walking.
METHODS: Gross motor function was assessed using 2 components of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS-88), i.e., sitting as well as standing at the base line and after every 3rd week for 12 weeks follow up.
RESULTS: In study and control group the mean score of gross motor function for sitting at baseline was 33.96 ± 3.11 and 31.50 ± 3.32 respectively. After intervention, it changed to 47.70 ± 5.46 and 43.46 ± 1.81 respectively. Mean score for Gross Motor Function calculated at base line in study and control group for standing was 27.37 ± 1.14 and 26 ± 3.01 respectively. At the end of intervention, the score improved to 36.55 ± 4.27 and 33.69 ± 2.46 respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to control group, significant increase in gross motor function of intervention group was seen after the 12 weeks of intervention. In this way, over back muscles the application of kinesio tape in a Criss-Cross manner may be helpful. Also it can be used as an additional approach along with routine physical therapy to improve standing and sitting in spastic diplegic children.

BACKGROUND: Knee joint injuries may result from compromised quadriceps muscle strength or diminished knee joint proprioception. The application of Kinesio tape (KT) on the quadriceps muscle from origin to insertion (OTI-KT) or insertion to origin (ITO-KT) could impact knee joint proprioception and quadriceps muscle strength. This study aims to assess the effects of different tensions and directions of KT application on active and passive knee joint repositioning errors (AJRE and PJRE) and peak concentric and eccentric peak torque (CPT and EPT) of the quadriceps muscles in healthy males.
METHODS: Twenty-one healthy males participated in this repeated-measures study design. CPT, EPT, AJRE, and PJRE of the dominant limb were measured by a Biodex dynamometer before and after applying OTI-KT with 0%, 15%, and 40% extra tensions and ITO-KT with 0% tension.
RESULTS: ITO-KT demonstrated a significant reduction in AJRE (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, for OTI-KT, a statistically significant difference was observed in both AJRE and PJRE concerning time (F1,126 = 19.74, p < 0.05 for AJRE; F1,126 = 9.96, p < 0.05 for PJRE) and tension (F2,126 = 22.14, p < 0.05 for AJRE; F2,126 = 20.67, p < 0.05 for PJRE).
CONCLUSIONS: Applying KT, especially OTI KT with 40% and 15% extra tension, shows potential in enhancing knee proprioception without immediate impacts on quadriceps muscle torque. This suggests applications in sports performance and knee injury rehabilitation.