Experts say there is “uncertain efficacy” about commonly used kinesio tape after a new review.
Kinesio taping (KT) has been “extensively used” for muscle and bone problems, also known as musculoskeletal disorders, and increasing mobility since the 1970s.
But a number of reviews on its use in the elbow, shoulder, back, knee and ankle have provided “inconsistent findings”, researchers said.
A team from China examined a total of 153 systematic reviews on the topic across 29 conditions, involving 15,812 patients.
After reviewing all of the evidence, the authors concluded that KT “may reduce pain intensity in the immediate and short term and improve function/disability in the immediate term, but the evidence is uncertain”.
They added: “KT may provide little to no effect on pain intensity in the medium term, function/disability in the short and medium term, and muscle strength, range of motion, disease- specific symptoms at all follow-ups, with most evidence rated as very low certainty.”
Writing in the journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, the authors conclude: “Current evidence is very uncertain regarding the clinical effects of KT on MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders).”
