Akkurt Halil Ekrem, Yilmaz Ramazan, Suna Fatma Sümeyye, Karpuz Savaş, Yilmaz Halim
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Konya Beyhekim Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Konya, Turkey.
J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 Mar 14;20(1):274. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05658-7.
Kinesiotaping (KT), with its non-restrictive nature, is a preferred treatment option, yet there remains insufficient evidence regarding its effectiveness in managing lateral epicondylitis (LE). This study aims to investigate the efficacy of KT on pain intensity, functional status, and quality of life in patients with chronic LE.
Between February and August 2024, 42 patients (17 females, 25 males; mean age: 44.5 ± 9.1 years; range: 27-61) with chronic LE were included in this single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT). Patients were randomized into either the KT or sham-controlled group. Kinesiotaping and sham-taping were applied six times over three weeks. Both groups received recommendations for activity modification and a home-based stretching and strengthening exercise program. Outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score; the Patient-Rated Forearm Evaluation Questionnaire (PRFEQ); grip strength; Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH); quality of life in Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the Roles and Maudsley patient satisfaction score. The participants were assessed before treatment, at the end of treatment (week three), and four weeks after the end of treatment (week seven).
Both groups showed improvements from the baseline in all outcome parameters. At the third and seventh week follow-up, KT was superior to sham-taping in all outcome measures, except for two SF-36 subscales, with effect sizes further supporting the clinical relevance of these findings by indicating meaningful differences in favor of KT.
The results of the present study suggest that KT using the epidermis, dermis, fascia (EDF), and muscle inhibition technique effectively reduces pain, improves disability and quality of life, and achieves high patient satisfaction levels without any adverse effects in LE.
gov identifer: NCT06611709.
肌内效贴布（KT）因其非限制性特点，是一种首选的治疗选择，但关于其治疗外侧上髁炎（LE）有效性的证据仍然不足。本研究旨在探讨KT对慢性LE患者疼痛强度、功能状态和生活质量的疗效。
在2024年2月至8月期间，42例慢性LE患者（17例女性，25例男性；平均年龄：44.5±9.1岁；范围：27 - 61岁）被纳入这项单盲、平行组随机对照试验（RCT）。患者被随机分为KT组或假对照治疗组。肌内效贴布和假贴布在三周内应用6次。两组均接受了活动调整建议以及家庭伸展和强化锻炼计划。结果测量指标包括视觉模拟量表（VAS）疼痛评分；患者自评前臂评估问卷（PRFEQ）；握力；手臂、肩部和手部功能障碍（DASH）；简明健康状况调查问卷（SF - 36）中的生活质量，以及角色和莫兹利患者满意度评分。参与者在治疗前、治疗结束时（第3周）和治疗结束后4周（第7周）进行评估。
两组在所有结果参数上均较基线有所改善。在第3周和第7周随访时，除了SF - 36的两个子量表外，KT在所有结果测量指标上均优于假贴布，效应量进一步支持了这些发现的临床相关性，表明有利于KT的有意义差异。
本研究结果表明，使用表皮、真皮、筋膜（EDF）和肌肉抑制技术的KT能有效减轻疼痛，改善功能障碍和生活质量，并在LE患者中实现高患者满意度且无任何不良反应。
美国国立医学图书馆临床试验注册中心标识符：NCT06611709
