Kinesio Taping and Hand Sensorimotor Control

Effects of Kinesio Taping on Hand Proprioception, Reaction Time, Force Control and Corticomuscular Functional Connectivity

We explored the effect of Kinesio taping with different tension on hand force control, joint proprioception, reaction time and brain activity.

Healthy participants randomly received three wrist/finger flexor taping conditions: (1) taping with 20% additional tension (taping20), (2) taping with neutral tension (tapingN), and (3) without taping (control). Grip force, wrist joint angle, electroencephalogram and electromyogram were recorded during proprioception and force control tasks to determine the effects of Kinesio taping on sensorimotor control.

Sensorimotor control involves the integration of sensory information in the brain to ensure appropriate joint position, force control and timing during movement. Kinesio taping can provide additional sensory input and improve sensorimotor control performance. Hand function is important in daily activities and fine control of the fingers and wrist is required in many sports. Therefore, we explore the effect of Kinesio taping with different tension on hand force control, joint proprioception, reaction time and brain activity.

This is an observational study with single-group repeated-measures design. Participants will be randomly received three wrist/finger flexor taping conditions: (1) taping with 20% additional tension (taping20), (2) taping with neutral tension (tapingN), and (3) without taping (control). Grip force, wrist joint angle, electroencephalogram and electromyogram were recorded during proprioception and force control tasks.Repeated-measures one-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc comparison test determined the differences among the taping conditions. The Pearson correlation test determined the correlation between changes in motor performance and brain activities. Statistical significance was set at .05.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy adults who are 20-40 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Have irreversible injury on forearm, wrist or hand
2. Feel pain or any uncomfortable symptom on forearm, wrist or hand
3. Muscular disease on upper extremity in 6 months
4. Impaired sensation
5. Allergy to Kinesio tape
6. Neurological disease