Does lower limb kinesio taping affect pain, muscle strength, and balance following fatigue in healthy subjects? A systematic review and meta analysis of parallel randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND

Kinesio tape (KT) has gained popularity in sports and rehabilitation due to its ease of use and potential benefits. However, its effectiveness is not well understood especially in addressing fatigue, a condition that can impair muscle function and increase the musculoskeletal risk of injury. Given KT's potential impact on muscle activity and recovery, this review aims to evaluate the effects of lower limb KT on pain, strength, and balance following fatigue.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in five databases (Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, and PEDRO) up to January 2024. The search employed keywords related to KT, fatigue, and delayed onset muscle soreness. We included parallel randomized controlled trials that compared KT to control groups, including sham tape, rigid tape, or no-tape. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Meta-analyses were conducted for pain and strength outcomes, but not balance due to the limited number of articles addressing this outcome.

RESULTS

After screening 320 initial records, 16 studies were included in the analysis, all of which were characterized by a high risk of methodological bias. The meta-analysis on 837 subjects demonstrated that KT significantly reduced fatigue-related pain, with a moderate effect size (SMD = -0.44, p < 0.0001, I  = 32%). Subgroup analysis revealed significant pain reduction after 48 h, with no substantial effects immediately or at 24 h. The meta-analysis on muscle strength, involving 605 subjects, showed a significant improvement in the KT group, with a moderate to strong effect size (SMD = 0.46, p < 0.0001, I  = 45%). Subgroup analysis indicated strength improvements at all time points: immediate, 48 h, and beyond 48 h. Results regarding balance were mixed; two studies reported a positive effect of KT on balance, while two others showed no significant impact.

CONCLUSIONS

KT effectively reduces pain following fatigue, particularly noticeable after 48 h, and significantly enhances muscle strength, with potential balance improvements. These findings highlight KT's non-invasive, and cost-effective advantages. However, due to high risk of bias and methodological variability, further rigorous research is essential to substantiate these benefits and refine the therapeutic application of KT.