Kinesio Taping does not improve the symptoms or function of older people with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised trial.

QUESTION

Does Kinesio Taping reduce pain and swelling, and increase muscle strength, function and knee-related health status in older people with knee osteoarthritis?

DESIGN

Randomised, controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis and blinded assessment.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy-six older people with knee osteoarthritis.

INTERVENTION

The experimental group received three simultaneous Kinesio Taping techniques to treat pain, strength and swelling. The control group received sham taping. All participants kept the taping on for 4 days.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The outcomes were: concentric muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors, measured by isokinetic dynamometry with an angular velocity of 60 deg/second normalised for body mass [(Nm/kg) x 100 (%)]; pressure pain threshold via digital pressure algometry (kgf/cm(2)); lower-limb swelling via volumetry (l) and perimetry (cm); physical function via the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (0 = worst to 100=best); and knee-related health status via the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index (0=best to 96=worst). Outcomes were measured at Day 4 (end of the taping period) and Day 19 (follow-up) after the start of the treatment.

RESULTS

At Day 4, there were no significant between-group differences for knee extensor muscle strength (MD -1%, 95% CI -7 to 5), knee flexor muscle strength (MD 2%, 95% CI -3 to 7), the pressure pain threshold at any measured point, volumetry (MD 0.05 L, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.11), perimetry at any measured point, Lysholm score (MD -4 points, 95% CI -9 to 2), or WOMAC score (MD -2 points, 95% CI -8 to 4). The lack of significant between-group difference was also seen at the follow-up assessment on Day 19.

CONCLUSION

The Kinesio Taping techniques investigated in this study provided no beneficial effects for older people with knee osteoarthritis on any of the assessed outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, RBR-36r3t5. [Wageck B, Nunes GS, Bohlen NB, Santos GM, de Noronha M (2016) Kinesio Taping does not improve the symptoms or function of older people with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised trial.Journal of Physiotherapy62: 153-158].