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AbstractIntroductionTraumatic injuries of the shoulder or chest wall are commonly treated in the Emergency Department (ED). A complementary treatment is kinesiotaping, an elastic tape often used to treat musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain. However, the added pain-reducing effect of kinesiotape in comparison to standard conservative treatment is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of kinesiotaping on pain relief compared to standard treatment with pain medication and immobilization in patients with uncomplicated traumatic injury of the shoulder or chest wall in the ED. MethodA pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in the ED of a teaching hospital in the Netherlands from January 2021 until the end of March 2021. Patients diagnosed with uncomplicated isolated rib fractures, rib contusions, clavicle fracture, disruption of the AC joint and fracture of the proximal humerus were assigned to two treatment groups. The control group received the standard treatment with oral analgesics (acetaminophen q6h 1000 mg and NSAID (according to prescription) and if shoulder injury also a sling. The intervention group received kinesiotaping in addition to the same standard treatment. Pain intensity was measured with 0–10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) just before treatment (T1) and after 15 min (T2). On day 4 both groups were assessed with NRS in a follow up phone call (T3). ResultsA total of 251 patients presented with traumatic injury of the shoulder or chest wall in the study period, 85 patients were approached to participate and 2 of them were excluded. The remaining 83 were randomly allocated to kinesiotaping (n = 40) or control group (n = 43), 57 of them completed the study and had sufficient data for complete analysis In both groups, pain intensity after 15 min and 4 days significantly reduced compared with baseline. Regarding the reduction of pain intensity on day 4, kinesiotaping was significantly superior compared to the control group with a difference in pain reduction of 2.45 compared with 0.88 in control group (p = 0.018). ConclusionCompared to standard treatment alone, kinesiotaping combined with standard care appears to be more effective in terms of acute pain reduction in patients with uncomplicated traumatic injury of the shoulder or chest wall. Further research is recommended.

Background Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a compressive neuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), characterized by pain, paresthesia, and numbness in the anterolateral thigh. Despite its well-documented etiology, diagnosing MP remains challenging, as complementary tests such as electromyography (EMG) and ultrasound may yield normal results due to anatomical variations and the dynamic nature of nerve compression. Objective This study introduces the Hip Abduction Maneuver (HAM) as a novel diagnostic tool for LFCN compression and investigates its utility in clinical and intraoperative assessments Method The maneuver, inspired by Hagert’s triad, evaluates hip abduction weakness as a functional indicator of LFCN entrapment. MP can result from mechanical, metabolic, iatrogenic, traumatic, or anatomical factors. Compression occurs under the inguinal ligament, where orthogonal taping (OKT) can serve as a mechanical relief test to support diagnosis. HAM exploits afferent inhibitory responses, assessing hip abduction strength before and after decompression maneuvers. The Scratch Collapse Test (SCT) further improves diagnostic accuracy. The Hip Abduction Maneuver (HAM) and Orthogonal KinesioTaping (OKT) enhance the clinical assessment of meralgia paresthetica, particularly in cases with inconclusive imaging. Conclusion Their integration into preoperative evaluation and intraoperative validation may improve diagnostic precision and optimize surgical outcomes. Further studies are required to validate reproducibility and long-term efficacy.

IntroductionKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition that results in pain, muscular fatigue, functional instability, and disability. Bracing and taping can be a suitable treatment for knee OA, hence this study compares the effects of a soft knee brace and kinesiotaping (KT) on gait and balance parameters in patients with knee OA.Material and methodsTwenty-three patients with knee OA, grade I or II were evaluated. Gait parameters were measured using the motion analysis system including gait velocity and stance time (of the affected limb). Balance parameters including Overall Stability Index (OSI) and Medial-Lateral Stability Index variables were assessed using the Biodex stability system. Patients were assessed in three situations: without a knee soft brace or KT, with a soft brace, and with KT. The time interval was one week between each measurement. A paired t-test was used to compare patients in the three conditions.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences in all gait and balance parameters except for the Overall Stability Index after using kinesiotaping (p < 0.05) but not after bracing. There were significant clinical improvements in all outcomes after taping more than after a soft knee brace.ConclusionsKinesiotaping is more effective than the soft knee brace for gait and balance improvement in patients with knee OA.

Purpose This study aimed to compare the short-term effects of kinesiotaping and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) along with physiotherapy on pain, functionality, and grip strength in patients with newly diagnosed lateral epicondylitis undergoing rehabilitation. Methods Forty-five voluntary patients (mean age 48 years) were randomly assigned to three groups. Patients in all groups received physiotherapy consisting of a cold pack and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation five times per week for a total of 15 sessions and a home exercise programme including stretching and eccentric strength exercises. In the second group, patients received kinesiotaping 5 days a week for 3 weeks. In the third group, ESWT was applied three times for 3 weeks. Patients were assessed by visual analogue scale for pain intensity, pain-free grip strength using a hand dynamometer, Cyriax Resisted Muscle Test, and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Scale. All measurements were collected at baseline and after treatment. Results There were no significant differences in the demographic characteristics of the patients in all groups at baseline. Intra-group analysis revealed that pain intensity decreased, whereas maximum grip strength and functionality increased in all groups at the end of the treatment ( p  < 0.05). Inter-group analysis revealed that the kinesiotaping group yielded better results in decreasing pain intensity than the other groups ( p  < 0.05). The kinesiotaping group ( p  < 0.001) and ESWT group ( p  = 0.002) yielded better results in improving functionality than the physiotherapy group. There were significant differences in recovering pain-free grip strength in the kinesiotaping group ( p  < 0.05). Conclusion Kinesiotaping was found to be effective for decreasing pain intensity, recovering grip strength, and improving functionality in patients with lateral epicondylitis undergoing rehabilitation. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, Level II.

Background This prospective comparative study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of kinesio-taping (KT), buddy taping (BT), and conventional splinting in managing finger joint sprains and fractures across pediatric and adult populations, with a focus on functional recovery and patient-centered outcomes. Materials and methods A total of 175 patients were randomized into three treatment arms: KT (Group 1, n  = 62), BT (Group 2, n  = 52), and splinting (Group 3, n  = 61). Participants were stratified into pediatric (5–18 years) and adult (18–60 years) subgroups. Clinical outcomes—including range of motion (ROM), grip strength, and QuickDASH (QD) scores—were assessed by an independent orthopedic surgeon at 3-week and 3-month follow-ups. Results Baseline demographics (age, sex, injury laterality, and hand dominance) were comparable across groups ( p  > 0.05). Group 1 demonstrated statistically superior outcomes, with significantly greater ROM( p  < 0.001), lower QD scores ( p  < 0.001), and higher grip strength ( p  < 0.001) relative to splinting. Group 2 exhibited intermediate efficacy, outperforming splinting but remaining inferior to Group 1 ( p  < 0.001). Subgroup analyses confirmed consistent therapeutic advantages for KT in both pediatric and adult cohorts ( p  < 0.001). Discussion KT emerged as the most effective modality, offering enhanced patient comfort, superior pain management, and accelerated functional recovery in finger ligament injuries and fractures. Its capacity to facilitate early mobilization without compromising stability positions it as a preferable alternative to conventional splinting methods in diverse age groups.

The effect of conservative treatments on sleep quality in carpal tunnel syndrome is unclear. Comparing the effect of splinting and kinesiotaping in carpal tunnel syndrome on functional status, pain, grip strength, nerve cross-sectional area and sleep quality. Randomized controlled study. The participants were divided into three groups. One group was given night splint and nerve tendon gliding exercises, one group was given kinesiotaping and nerve tendon gliding exercises and one group was given only nerve tendon gliding exercises. The participants was evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Jamar hand dynamometer, ultrasonography by a blind investigator in the treatment group at baseline and at 3 months. A total of 90 participants, 53 women and 37 men, with a mean age of 47.6±10.5, participated in the study. The decrease in Boston symptom severity and functional status scores was higher in the kinesiotaping group than in the splint group (Cohen's d=−0.78). A statistically significant decrease was found in PSQI scores in all groups (p<0.05). A statistically significant decrease was found in the PSQI total and sleep duration component score in the kinesiotaping group compared to the splint group and the exercise group (Cohen's d=0.69). Both splinting and kinesiotaping are effective on pain, functional status, hand grip strength and median nerve cross-sectional area. This effect is greater in kinesiotaping. Splinting, kinesiotaping and nerve tendon gliding exercises treatments are effective in improving sleep quality, but this effect is greater in kinesiotaping. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06514625. •Splinting and kinesiotaping are effective in carpal tunnel syndrome.•Kinesiotaping is more effective on pain, hand grip strength and sleep quality.•Kinesiotaping may be the first choice for those with sleep disorders.

Low back pain is a very common health problem affecting about 80% of the global population and has an impact on biomedical, psychological and sociological areas. There are many types of treatment centered around evidence-based practice. This paper tries to present most of the therapeutic methods used to ease pain and improve the quality of life. Manual therapy, core exercises, dry needling, kinesiotaping and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation have different efficacies and result in treating and managing pain. It could be quite certain to indicate a superiority of manual therapy and core exercises over the rest of evaluated methods. This article demonstrates examples of core exercises that in some cases may be useful to help with low back pain.

Objectives: The central nervous system plays a fundamental role in chronic pain; however, its behavior in this condition remains unclear, especially when associated with interventions such as kinesiotaping (KT). This study aimed to analyze the effects of KT on the somatosensory cortex of women with chronic low back pain. Methods: This case series involved 15 women with chronic low back pain. Participants underwent a progressive-tension KT protocol for 8 weeks, and electroencephalogram recordings were performed in two positions, namely sitting and standing while load bearing (10% of body weight), in the first and eighth weeks. The following instruments were employed: Oswestry lumbar disability index, fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire, and the numerical pain intensity scale. Results: All participants showed significant pain improvement and a reduction in Oswestry disability index scores from moderate to minimal. Additionally, activity in the alpha band within the somatosensory cortex and insula (central region—represented by the electrode Cz) decreased. This was confirmed by reduced power spectral density, indicating diminished cortical activity in these regions. Conclusions: KT positively affects women with chronic low back pain, providing pain reduction and improved functional capacity, as indicated by the fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire and numerical pain intensity scale. Moreover, KT reduces cortical activity in the somatosensory cortex, which is related to the progression of painful sensations, described above after the intervention.