Short-term effects of kinesio taping on trigger points in upper trapezius and gastrocnemius muscles.

BACKGROUND: Kinesio taping is a possible therapeutic modality for myofascial pain, nevertheless, very scarce research has been performed on this subject. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immediate and short-term effect of kinesio taping application on myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in the upper trapezius and gastrocnemius muscles. METHODS: Two randomized, single-blinded, controlled trials were simultaneously executed on the upper trapezius and gastrocnemius muscles. Different participants in each study were randomly assigned to an active intervention (N = 15) or control (N = 15) group. Kinesio taping was applied on the gastrocnemius or upper trapezius muscles by positioning three "I" strips in a star shape (tension on base) directly above the MTrPs in the active intervention group and a few centimeters away from the MTrPs in the controls. RESULTS: The second evaluation on both sides showed lower PPT values than the first evaluation in the control group, denoting that the spots were more sensitive. The third evaluation showed even lower values. The active intervention group showed a contralateral side pattern similar to the controls. However, on the side of the kinesio taping application, the PPT values of the second evaluation were higher (the spots were less sensitive) and after 24 h returned to the original values. The difference between the PPT measurements on the MTrPs' side of the active intervention group vs. the controls (time-group interaction) was significant (F (2,56) = 3.24, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that a kinesio taping application positioned directly above the MTrPs may prevent an increase in sensitivity (decrease in PPT) immediately after application and prevent further sensitization up to 24 h later. The fact that two different muscles were similarly affected by the kinesio taping application, confirmed that the results were not in error. Further studies are needed to directly test the effect of a kinesio taping application on post-treatment soreness.

Effect of kinesio tape application on hemiplegic shoulder pain and motor ability: a pilot study.

The aim of our single-group pre-post design pilot study was to evaluate the short-term effect of kinesio taping (KT) application on pain and motor ability of hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) patients. Eleven poststroke patients with HSP hospitalized in the Department of Neurology C, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital, Raanana, Israel, received a KT application in addition to their usual rehabilitation protocol. KT, consisting of one to three strips according to a predefined algorithm, was applied to the painful shoulder region. A 10 cm Visual Analog Scale of shoulder pain at rest and at arm movement, active and passive pain-free abduction range of motion, Box & Blocks, and Fugl-Meyer upper extremity motor assessment were performed before treatment and 24 h after wearing the KT. After applying the KT, there was no significant change in any variables. Short-term KT application, used in our study, produced no change in shoulder pain, range of motion, or ability of upper limb in HSP patients. Additional studies should evaluate the effect of long-term application and different types of KT applications on HSP.

Influence of kinesio tape application direction on peak force of biceps brachii muscle: A repeated measurement study.

BACKGROUND: According to the kinesio tape (KT) method, proximal-to-distal (P-to-D) application of KT should facilitate muscle activity (increase strength), distal-to- proximal (D-to-P) should decrease muscle activity (decrease strength) and applications in other directions should not influence muscle strength. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of KT application direction on peak force of biceps brachii in healthy subjects. METHODS: 16 students participated in a single group repeated measurements study. KT was applied randomly on both anterior arms as follows: no KT; P-to-D; D-to-P; or two horizontal stripes. Peak force of biceps was measured after each application by a blinded investigator. RESULTS: No difference in biceps peak force was found after evaluating no KT, P-to-D and D-to-P. After the horizontal application, peak force was found statistically significantly higher than in the other conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional assumptions of the KT method, suggesting that P-to-D application stimulates muscle and D-to-P relaxes the muscle, seem to be false. However, we do confirm that applying KT in various directions differently effects muscle strength.

Upper cervical mobility, posture and myofascial trigger points in subjects with episodic migraine: Case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between episodic migraines and the prevalence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius, forward head posture (FHP), neck range of motion (ROM) and cervical facet joint stiffness. METHODS: 20 physiotherapy students with episodic migraines and 20 age- and sex matched healthy controls were included in this observational case-control study. Demographics and headache status were evaluated through questionnaires. Active neck ROM, presence of MTrPs, and cervical facet joint mobility were assessed by physical examination. FHP was measured using a lateral digital photograph taken in a sitting position. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in neck ROM measurements and FHP between the migraine and control groups. Significant differences were found in the prevalence of cervical facet joints stiffness in Occiput-C1 (χ(2) = 4.444, p = 0.035) and C1-C2 (χ(2) = 10.157, p = 0.001), but not in other segments. Significant differences were found in the prevalence of active and latent MTrPs between the migraine and control subjects in the right trapezius (χ(2) = 11.649, p = 0.003) and right sternocleidomastoid (χ(2) = 8.485, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the hypothesis that the prevalence of MTrPs in neck muscles and hypomobility in the upper cervical facet joints are associated with migraines.

The effect of kinesio tape application on hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles in healthy young adults.

BACKGROUND: Scarce evidence exists about effectiveness and mechanisms of action of Kinesio tape (KT) application. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of KT application over the gastrocnemius or hamstring on range of motion and peak force. METHODS: Thirty-six physical therapy students participated (18 per group). KT was applied with 30% tension for 48 h to: Group 1 - the gastrocnemius; Group 2 - the hamstrings. The straight leg raise (SLR), knee extension angle (KEA), weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion, gastrocnemius, quadriceps and hamstrings peak forces were evaluated prior to application, 15 min and 48 h after. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase of peak force in the gastrocnemius group appeared immediately and two days later; no immediate change of peak force in the hamstrings group, however, two days later, peak force significantly increased. SLR and ankle dorsiflexion increased immediately in the gastrocnemius group; KEA improved significantly only after two days. It is possible that certain muscles react differently when KT is applied, and the effect may be subsequently detected.

Differences between self-reported and observed physical functioning in independent older adults.

BACKGROUND: Understanding whether there is an agreement between older persons who provide information on their functional status and clinicians who assess their function is an important step in the process of creating sound outcome instruments. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether there is agreement between self-reported and clinician assessment of similar performance items in older adults. METHODS: Fifty independent older adults aged 70-91 years (mean age 80.3 ± 5.2 years) who live in the community were examined separately and blindly in two data collection sessions. Self-reported and observed lower and upper extremity physical tasks were compared. Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI) was used in both sessions. We performed intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) as indices of agreement and "mountain plots" that were based on a cumulative distribution curve. Associations between self-reported and observed function with Fear of Fall Scale (FES) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were also assessed. RESULTS: ICCs were high between self-reported lower extremity function and observed lower extremity function (ICC = 0.83), and were poorer for self-reported and observed upper extremity function (ICC = 0.31). In both comparisons, mountain plots revealed a right shift that was larger for upper than lower extremity functions, indicating systematic differences in self-reported and observed assessments. Associations with FES and GDS were higher for self-reported than observed function. CONCLUSION: There is a systematic bias between self-reported and clinician observation. Professionals should be aware that information provided by patients and observation of activity assessed by clinicians could differ substantially, especially for upper extremity function. Implications for Rehabilitation There is a systematic bias between self-reported and clinician assessment of similar performance items in older adults. In general, older adults overestimate their physical function or clinicians underestimate older adults function. The bias between self-reported and clinician assessment for upper extremity function is larger than that for lower extremity function. The conclusions regarding agreement across upper extremity and lower extremity function scores are not different when using mountain plots graphs versus relying solely on the value of the ICCs. However, the graphs expand our understanding of the direction and magnitude of score differences. Professionals should be aware that information provided by patients and assessment by clinicians could differ substantially, especially for upper extremity function.

A water-based training program that includes perturbation exercises improves speed of voluntary stepping in older adults: a randomized controlled cross-over trial.

This study evaluated the effects of a water exercise training program that includes perturbation exercises (WEP) to improve the speed of voluntary stepping reaction in older adults. Speed of voluntary stepping considered as an important skill to prevent a fall when balance is lost. In a single-blinded randomized controlled trial with a crossover design thirty-six independent old adults (64-88 years old) were divided into two groups. Group A received WEP for the first 12 weeks, followed by no intervention for the second 12 weeks. Group B did not receive intervention for the first 12 weeks and received WEP for the second 12 weeks. Voluntary Step Execution Test and postural stability in upright standing (eyes open and closed conditions) were measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. A significant interaction effect between group and time was found for the step execution, due to improvement in initiation phase and swing phase durations in the WEP group. Also significant improvement in postural stability parameters in eyes open and closed conditions is noted. The present results indicate that the primary benefit of WEP that include perturbations to induce stepping, was a reduction in voluntary stepping times. The WEP generalized to a better control of balance in up-right standing.

Relieving symptoms of meralgia paresthetica using Kinesio taping: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the novel Kinesio taping treatment approach on meralgia paresthetica (MP) symptoms. DESIGN: Repeated measurements, feasibility study of 1 intervention. SETTING: Referral private physical therapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Men (n=6) and women (n=4) with clinically and electromyographically diagnosed MP. INTERVENTION: Application of Kinesio tape, twice a week for 4 weeks (8 treatment sessions in total). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual analog scale (VAS) of MP symptoms (pain/burning sensation/paresthesia), VAS global quality of life (QOL), and the longest and broadest parts of the symptom area were measured. RESULTS: All outcome measures significantly improved after 4 weeks of treatment. Mean VAS QOL +/- SD decreased from 69.0+/-23.4 to 35.3+/-25.2 (t=4.3; P=.002). Mean VAS of MP symptoms +/- SD decreased from 60.5+/-20.8 to 31.4+/-26.6 (t=5.9; P>.001). Length and width of affected area decreased from 25.5+/-5.5 to 13.7+/-6.7 (t=5.1; P>.001) and 15.3+/-2.1 to 7.4+/-4.3 (t=5.3; P>.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Kinesio taping can be used in the treatment of MP. Future randomized placebo-controlled trials should be designed with patients and assessors blind to the type of intervention.