The Effects of Kinesio Taping on Pain, Range of Motion, and Functional Performance in People With Knee Osteoarthritis

The Effects of Kinesio Taping on Knee Pain, Range of Motion, and Functional Performance in People With Knee Osteoarthritis

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). KOA is a common condition that can lead to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does Kinesio Taping reduce pain in individuals with KOA?
• Can Kinesio Taping improve the range of motion and functional performance in those suffering from KOA?

Participants will be asked to:

Attend assessment sessions at the outpatient Physical Therapy clinic at Taibah University.

Undergo Kinesio Taping three times over 12 days. Complete specific physical tests and questionnaires before and after the intervention period to measure their pain and mobility.

Researchers will compare the group that receives Kinesio Taping with the group that receives sham (placebo) taping to see if there are significant differences in pain reduction and improvements in movement and daily function.

Study Overview

This clinical trial explores Kinesio Taping's (KT) effect on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in adults. It delves into whether KT can alleviate pain and improve joint movement and daily functioning. The research, hosted at Taibah University's Physical Therapy clinic, focuses on practical benefits for patients with KOA, a condition that leads to significant discomfort and mobility issues, especially prevalent in Saudi Arabia.

Study Design

In a randomized and single-blinded approach, participants are divided into two groups. One group receives actual Kinesio taping, while the other undergoes a sham procedure, with neither group aware of their specific treatment type to ensure unbiased results.

Intervention Procedures

Participants undergo three Kinesio taping sessions spread over 12 days. The taping technique is performed according to prescribed methods that target the quadriceps femoris muscle, believed to influence pain perception and joint function positively.

The study employs a before-and-after intervention assessment model. Initial data collection includes patients' demographic details and baseline characteristics related to their health status and disease severity. Following the intervention, the same measures are reassessed to evaluate any changes attributed to the KT.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients clinically and radiologically diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral knee OA.
• Independent gait
• Any grade on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous fractures of the femur and/or tibia.
• Comorbidities such as neurological diseases, malnutrition, and other inflammatory and/or infectious diseases.
• Radicular pain in the lower limbs or diabetic neuritis.
• Prior physiotherapy in the past month.