Kinesio Taping vs Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Injury

“To what extent is Kinesio tape effective in preventing and treating patients with a musculoskeletal injury during rehabilitation compared to clinical standardized treatment?'

Evidence Selection

The study conducted by Montalvo, Cara, and Myer (2014) is a “systematic literature review and meta-analysis” which aims toward the evaluation the efficacy of Kinesio tape in pain management among people suffering from musculoskeletal injuries. This qualitative article is selected because it lies in the first position in the evidence hierarchy and is considered the highest level of evidence (Paul, 2018). Moreover, the article was published in 2014 which indicates this research was conducted recently. In addition, this article has compared and contrasted the efficacy of Kinesio tape in pain reduction by considering the efficacy of other traditional treatment methods (Montalvo et al., 2014).

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In comparison, the research conducted by Parreira et al. (2014) is a systematic literature review and the objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Kinesio tape for musculoskeletal conditions. This quantitative article is selected because it also has the highest level of evidence according to the evidence hierarchy (Paul, 2018). This article was published in 2014 which shows that it is a valid recent study and it clearly focuses on musculoskeletal conditions and Kinesio tape which is the focused intervention in the topic. Moreover, the study compared Kinesio tape effects with other interventions of clinical standardized treatment for musculoskeletal conditions.

The study conducted by Kachanathu, Alenazi, Seif, Hafez, and Alroumim (2014) is a randomized controlled trial that aims towards comparing the effects of Kinesio tape and traditional physical therapy for “non-specific low back pain” treatment. Contrastingly, this study lies on the second level in the evidence hierarchy and was published in 2014 which indicates that it is also a recent study. Moreover, the study combines qualitative and quantitative measures and is found relevant to address the topic because it is focused on Non-Specific Low Back Pain (NSLBP) whose prognosis can be determined from musculoskeletal injuries, and has compared two major interventions, Kinesio tape and physical therapy which is the main focus of the current topic (Kachanathu et al., 2014).

Evidence Summary

Introduction

In this evidence summary, the results of the retrieved articles will be discussed, and findings will be compared and contrasted to deduce a definitive conclusion. Moreover, a brief discussion will be conducted in the context of the current topic and the strength of the evidence.

Summarization of results

Montalvo et al. (2014), state that Kinesio tape helps in the reduction of pain among individuals suffering from orthopedic injuries for physical activities. The combined results of the 11 articles in this systematic review suggest that Kinesio tape has limited efficacy in the reduction of pain in musculoskeletal injuries (Montalvo et al., 2014). In contrast, Parreira et al. (2014) state that the Kinesio tape effects are not significant on musculoskeletal conditions when compared to other interventions such as sham taping. Also, in some studies, positive effects of Kinesio tape are observed but the size of the effects is very limited in those studies (Parreira et al., 2014). Moreover, Kachanathu et al. (2014) postulated that Kinesio tape is an effective intervention for the treatment of NSLBP but there is a difference in the pain, trunk flexion, and range of motions when it is conjugated with physical therapy only.

Compare and contrast

The study recommends that Kinesio tape can be used for pain reduction in musculoskeletal injuries only when it is used in conjugation with other traditional therapies for injuries (Montalvo et al., 2014). However, Parreira et al. (2014) argue that Kinesio tape has minimal to no effects on musculoskeletal conditions even if used with other traditional methods. Thus, the intervention is not entirely recommended for all pain associated with chronic musculoskeletal injuries, for instance, grade 3 muscle tears and rotator cuff displacement (Parreira et al., 2014). The study conducted by Kachanathu et al. (2014) supports the recommendations of the review conducted and states that Kinesio tape can be an effective intervention in NSLBP when conjugated with traditional physical therapy.

Discussion of results in the context of the original question

In the context of the original question based on determining the degree of Kinesio tape that can be effective in preventing and treating musculoskeletal injuries, it has been found from various studies that Kinesio tape does not have any significant impact on musculoskeletal injuries but only acts as a tool for support. This intervention is required to conjugate with other clinical standardized treatment methods to increase its efficacy (Wu, Hong & Chou, 2015)

Discussion of results in the context of the strength of evidence

According to Berkman et al. (2015), systemic review with meta-analysis and randomized control trials both are high strength evidence that is considered relevant for making recommendations in nursing practice. The findings of all the studies were considered to be consistent and applicable to the targeted subject and, it is recommended that other methods be implemented in order to use Kinesio tape as an intervention. This will also encourage a highly effective strategy to treat and avoid musculoskeletal injuries.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it can be concluded that Kinesio tape is not an effective intervention in musculoskeletal injury prevention and treatment. More robust research is required to evaluate its efficacy as evident from current results, with claims strongly suggesting this intervention to be used in conjugation with other clinical standardized treatments.

Reference List

1. Berkman, N. D., Lohr, K. N., Ansari, M. T., Balk, E. M., Kane, R., McDonagh, M., ... & Gartlehner, G. (2015). Grading the strength of a body of evidence when assessing health care interventions: An EPC update. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 68(11), 1312-1324.
2. Kachanathu, S. J., Alenazi, A. M., Seif, H. E., Hafez, A. R., & Alroumim, A. M. (2014). Comparison between Kinesio taping and a traditional physical therapy program in the treatment of nonspecific low back pain. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 26(8), 1185-1188.
3. Montalvo, A. M., Cara, E. L., & Myer, G. D. (2014). Effect of kinesiology taping on pain in individuals with musculoskeletal injuries: Systematic review and meta-analysis. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 42(2), 48–57.
4. Parreira, P. do C. S., Costa, L. da C. M., Hespanhol Junior, L. C., Lopes, A. D., & Costa, L. O. P. (2014). Current evidence does not support the use of Kinesio Taping in clinical practice: A systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy, 60(1), 31–39.
5. Paul, M. (2018). The evidence hierarchy. Cham: Springer.
6. Wu, W. T., Hong, C. Z., & Chou, L. W. (2015). The Kinesio taping method for myofascial pain control. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015,1-10.