Does current evidence support the use of kinesiology taping in people with knee osteoarthritis?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the current evidence about the effects of kinesiology taping (KT) with different amounts of tension in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (via PUBMED), SciELO, COCHRANE Library, Scopus, PEDro, Web of Science and EMBASE were used as search databases. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent researchers searched these databases from inception until June 2020 using the descriptors "kinesiotaping", "kinesio taping", "kinesiotape", "tape", "taping", "kinesiology taping", "kinesiology tape", "kinesthetic taping" or "elastic therapeutic tape" associated with "knee osteoarthritis". We included clinical trials that compared the application of KT with and without tension in people with knee OA. DATE EXTRACTION AND QUALITY ANALYSIS: Data extraction included sample description, KT tension used in the study groups, duration of KT application, area of KT application, outcome measures and study methodological quality. The quality of the studies was evaluated by means of the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) score. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of the 850 studies identified, eight met the inclusion criteria and were ultimately included in this review. Most studies had moderate quality, with a satisfactory PEDro score. Results showed that KT application with tension was not superior to the application without tension for the outcomes of pain, physical function, range of motion and muscle strength. Evidence for edema, balance and quality of life is still limited. CONCLUSION: Current evidence does not support the use of kinesiology taping in people with knee OA.

Mat Pilates is as effective as aquatic aerobic exercise in treating women with fibromyalgia: a clinical, randomized and blind trial.

BACKGROUND: The mat Pilates method is the therapeutic modalities which can be used in fibromyalgia treatment. Although there are no well-designed studies that prove the effectiveness of the mat Pilates method in this population. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the mat Pilates method for improving symptoms in women with fibromyalgia. METHODS: A single blind randomized controlled trial in which 42 women with fibromyalgia were randomized into two groups: mat Pilates and aquatic aerobic exercise. The exercises were performed twice a week for 12 weeks. Two evaluations were performed: one at baseline (T0), and another at 12 weeks after randomization (T12). The primary outcome was pain measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes were function (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), quality of life (Short Form 36 [SF-36]), fear avoidance (Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire [FABQ-BR]) and pain catastrophizing (Pain-Related Catastrophizing Thoughts Scale [PRCTS]). RESULTS: There was improvement in both groups in relation to pain and function (p < 0.05). The aspects related to quality of life and the FABQ questionnaire only showed improvement in the mat Pilates group (p < 0.05). There was improvement in the PSQI and PRCTS variables only in the aquatic aerobic exercise group (p < 0.05), but no differences were observed between the groups for any of the evaluated variables. CONCLUSION: Significant improvements were observed in the two groups in relation to the disease symptoms, and no differences were observed between mat Pilates and aquatic aerobic exercise in any of the measured variables. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT03149198), May 11, 2017. Approved by the Ethics Committee of FACISA/UFRN (Number: 2.116.314).

Effects of insoles adapted in flip-flop sandals in people with plantar fasciopathy: a randomized, double-blind clinical, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of insoles adapted into flip-flop sandals on pain and function in individuals with plantar fasciopathy (PF). DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind controlled study. SETTING: Physiotherapy clinic of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairi, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Santa Cruz, Brazil. SUBJECTS: Sixty-six patients of both genders with PF were randomized into two groups: sandal insole group (SI; n = 34), which received a pair of custom flip-flop sandals with insoles covered with smooth synthetic leather; and plain sandal group (PS; n = 32), which received an identical pair of flip-flop sandals, but without the insoles. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were instructed to wear the flip-flops for 12 weeks for at least 4 hours/day. MAIN MEASURES: Pain (visual analogue scale-VAS) in the morning and at the end of the day were considered primary outcomes. Function (Foot Function Index-FFI and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-FAAM) and functional capacity (6-minute walk test-6MWT) were considered secondary outcomes. The outcomes were evaluated at baseline and immediately after the intervention by a blind assessor. RESULTS: Between-group differences were observed in terms of morning pain (mean difference (MD) = -1.82 cm; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -3.3 to -0.3; P = 0.016) and function (MD = -0.10; 95% CI = -0.19 to -0.01; P = 0.023) after the interventions with the SI group showing superior improvements in comparison to the PS group. CONCLUSION: The use of insoles adapted in flip-flop sandals for 12 weeks was effective at improving pain and function in individuals with PF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.

Zumba dancing can improve the pain and functional capacity in women with fibromyalgia.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of physical exercise for patients with fibromyalgia (FM) is very clear in the literature. Dancing is a type of aerobic exercise that has great acceptance. In addition to the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise, Zumba works on motor coordination and also has socializing as a part that should be included in patients with fibromyalgia. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of Zumba dancing in improving pain, functional capacity, quality of sleep and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia. DESIGN: A pre-post treatment design. METHODS: We evaluated 19 women with fibromyalgia, selected by convenience. Data were collected in the second half of 2016. Zumba dancing was performed twice a week for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated at week 0 (T0) and at week 12 (T12), by the following instruments: VAS (Visual Analogic Scale), Likert Scale, TUG (Timed Up an Go Test), 6MWT (Six-minute Walk Test), FIQ (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), ESS (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and SF-36 quality of life. RESULTS: We found differences in pain (VAST0 = 6.21 and VAST12 = 4.53) with p = 0.001 and in the domain physical functioning of SF36 (T0 = 42.37 and T12 = 52.11) with p = 0.04. No differences were found for the other variables between the times. CONCLUSION: Zumba dancing as a form of treatment for three months for patients with fibromyalgia was effective in improving pain and physical functioning. Future controlled and randomized clinical trials should be performed to improve the evidence of Zumba dancing in women with fibromyalgia.