Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States

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Abstract

Background

The existing body of kinesiology tape (KT) research reveals inconsistent results which challenges the efficacy of the intervention. Understanding professional beliefs and KT clinical application might provide insight for future research and development of evidence-based guidelines.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to survey and document the beliefs and clinical application methods of KT among healthcare professionals in the United States.

Design

Cross-sectional survey study.

Methods

A 30-question online survey was emailed to members of the National Athletic Trainers Association, Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, and American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy. Professionals were also informed through a recruitment post in different private healthcare Facebook groups.

Results

One thousand and eighty-three respondents completed the survey. Most respondents used KT for post-injury treatment (74%), pain modulation (67%), and neuro-sensory feedback (60%). Most believed that KT stimulates skin mechanoreceptors (77%), improve local circulation (69%), and modulates pain (60%). Some respondents believed KT only created a placebo effect (40%) and use it for such therapeutic purposes (58%). Most used a standard uncut roll (67%) in black (71%) or beige (66%). Most respondents did not use any specialty pre-cut tape (83%), infused tape (99.54%), or a topical analgesic with tape (65%). The most common tape tension lengths used by respondents were 50% tension (47%) and 25% (25%) tension. Patient reported outcomes (80%) were the most common clinical measures. Most respondents provided skin prep (64%) and tape removal (77%) instructions. Some did not provide any skin prep (36%) or tape removal (23%) instruction. The average recommended times to wear KT were two to three days (60%). The maximum times ranged from two to five days (81%).

Conclusion

This survey provides insight into how professionals use KT and highlights the gap between research and practice. Future research should address these gaps to better determine evidence-based guidelines.

Level of Evidence

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Most cited references 112

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The Use of Facebook in Recruiting Participants for Health Research Purposes: A Systematic Review

Christopher Whitaker, Sharon A.M. Stevelink, Nicola Townsend Fear (2017)

Background Social media is a popular online tool that allows users to communicate and exchange information. It allows digital content such as pictures, videos and websites to be shared, discussed, republished and endorsed by its users, their friends and businesses. Adverts can be posted and promoted to specific target audiences by demographics such as region, age or gender. Recruiting for health research is complex with strict requirement criteria imposed on the participants. Traditional research recruitment relies on flyers, newspaper adverts, radio and television broadcasts, letters, emails, website listings, and word of mouth. These methods are potentially poor at recruiting hard to reach demographics, can be slow and expensive. Recruitment via social media, in particular Facebook, may be faster and cheaper. Objective The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding the current use and success of Facebook to recruit participants for health research purposes. Methods A literature review was completed in March 2017 in the English language using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo, Google Scholar, and a hand search of article references. Papers from the past 12 years were included and number of participants, recruitment period, number of impressions, cost per click or participant, and conversion rate extracted. Results A total of 35 studies were identified from the United States (n=22), Australia (n=9), Canada (n=2), Japan (n=1), and Germany (n=1) and appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. All focused on the feasibility of recruitment via Facebook, with some (n=10) also testing interventions, such as smoking cessation and depression reduction. Most recruited young age groups (16-24 years), with the remaining targeting specific demographics, for example, military veterans. Information from the 35 studies was analyzed with median values being 264 recruited participants, a 3-month recruitment period, 3.3 million impressions, cost per click of US $0.51, conversion rate of 4% (range 0.06-29.50), eligibility of 61% (range 17-100), and cost per participant of US $14.41. The studies showed success in penetrating hard to reach populations, finding the results representative of their control or comparison demographic, except for an over representation of young white women. Conclusions There is growing evidence to suggest that Facebook is a useful recruitment tool and its use, therefore, should be considered when implementing future health research. When compared with traditional recruitment methods (print, radio, television, and email), benefits include reduced costs, shorter recruitment periods, better representation, and improved participant selection in young and hard to reach demographics. It however, remains limited by Internet access and the over representation of young white women. Future studies should recruit across all ages and explore recruitment via other forms of social media.

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The clinical effects of Kinesio® Tex taping: A systematic review.

Walton Jones, A.-B. Morris, C. Ryan … (2013)

Kinesio(®) Tex tape (KTT) is used in a variety of clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of KTT from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the management of clinical conditions. A systematic literature search of CINAHL; MEDLINE; OVID; AMED; SCIENCE DIRECT; PEDRO; www.internurse.com; SPORT DISCUS; BRITISH NURSING INDEX; www.kinesiotaping.co.uk; www.kinesiotaping.com; COCHRANE CENTRAL REGISTER OF CLINICAL TRIALS; and PROQUEST was performed up to April 2012. The risk of bias and quality of evidence grading was performed using the Cochrane collaboration methodology. Eight RCTs met the full inclusion/exclusion criteria. Six of these included patients with musculoskeletal conditions; one included patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema; and one included stroke patients with muscle spasticity. Six studies included a sham or usual care tape/bandage group. There was limited to moderate evidence that KTT is no more clinically effective than sham or usual care tape/bandage. There was limited evidence from one moderate quality RCT that KTT in conjunction with physiotherapy was clinically beneficial for plantar fasciitis related pain in the short term; however, there are serious questions around the internal validity of this RCT. There currently exists insufficient evidence to support the use of KTT over other modalities in clinical practice.

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Current evidence does not support the use of Kinesio Taping in clinical practice: a systematic review.

Patrícia Parreira, Lucíola da Cunha Menezes Costa, Luiz Carlos Hespanhol Junior … (2014)

Is Kinesio Taping more effective than a sham taping/placebo, no treatment or other interventions in people with musculoskeletal conditions? Is the addition of Kinesio Taping to other interventions more effective than other interventions alone in people with musculoskeletal conditions?

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Int J Sports Phys Ther

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Int J Sports Phys Ther

Journal ID (publisher-id): 2159

Title: International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy

Publisher: NASMI

ISSN (Electronic): 2159-2896

Publication date (Electronic, pub): 1 June 2021

Publication date (Electronic, collection): 2021

Volume: 16

Issue: 3

Pages: 778-796

Affiliations

[1 ] California State University Dominguez Hills

[2 ] University of Idaho

[3 ] Abdenour Consulting

Author notes

Corresponding Author: Scott W. Cheatham Associate Professor California State University Dominguez Hills 1000 E. Victoria Street, Carson, California 90747 Scheatham@csudh.edu

Article

Publisher ID: 22136

DOI: 10.26603/001c.22136

PMC ID: 8169012

PubMed ID: 34123530

SO-VID: dde0ed76-c020-4f5d-b137-d80afc5192dc

License:

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (4.0) which permits non-commercial use and sharing in any medium or format, provided the original author and source are credited. If you remix, transform, or build upon this work, you may not distribute the modified material.

Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States

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Abstract

Background

Purpose

Design

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of Evidence

Related collections

Blockchain in Healthcare Today

Most cited references 112

The Use of Facebook in Recruiting Participants for Health Research Purposes: A Systematic Review

The clinical effects of Kinesio® Tex taping: A systematic review.

Current evidence does not support the use of Kinesio Taping in clinical practice: a systematic review.

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