The clinical effects of Kinesio® Tex taping: A systematic review

Physiother Theory Pract. 2013 May;29(4):259-70. doi: 10.3109/09593985.2012.731675. Epub 2012 Oct 22.

Abstract

Kinesio(®) Tex tape (KTT) is used in a variety of clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of KTT from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the management of clinical conditions. A systematic literature search of CINAHL; MEDLINE; OVID; AMED; SCIENCE DIRECT; PEDRO; www.internurse.com; SPORT DISCUS; BRITISH NURSING INDEX; www.kinesiotaping.co.uk; www.kinesiotaping.com; COCHRANE CENTRAL REGISTER OF CLINICAL TRIALS; and PROQUEST was performed up to April 2012. The risk of bias and quality of evidence grading was performed using the Cochrane collaboration methodology. Eight RCTs met the full inclusion/exclusion criteria. Six of these included patients with musculoskeletal conditions; one included patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema; and one included stroke patients with muscle spasticity. Six studies included a sham or usual care tape/bandage group. There was limited to moderate evidence that KTT is no more clinically effective than sham or usual care tape/bandage. There was limited evidence from one moderate quality RCT that KTT in conjunction with physiotherapy was clinically beneficial for plantar fasciitis related pain in the short term; however, there are serious questions around the internal validity of this RCT. There currently exists insufficient evidence to support the use of KTT over other modalities in clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Athletic Tape*
  • Equipment Design
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Fasciitis, Plantar / diagnosis
  • Fasciitis, Plantar / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphedema / diagnosis
  • Lymphedema / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Spasticity / diagnosis
  • Muscle Spasticity / etiology
  • Muscle Spasticity / therapy*
  • Neck Pain / diagnosis
  • Neck Pain / therapy*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / adverse effects
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / instrumentation*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / therapy*
  • Stroke / complications
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult