Home / Health / Sports Tape Benefits Unclear: New Study
Sports Tape Benefits Unclear: New Study
1 Apr
Summary
- Study questioned Kinesio tape effectiveness after reviewing 128 systematic reviews.
- Evidence suggests short-term pain relief, but long-term benefits are uncertain.
- Skin irritation and itching are reported side effects from KT tape use.
Kinesio tape, popular since the 1970s for treating muscle and joint issues, faces scrutiny in a new comprehensive analysis. Researchers examined 128 systematic reviews, encompassing 310 trials and over 15,000 participants across 29 musculoskeletal conditions. The findings suggest that while the tape might provide immediate to short-term pain reduction and enhanced movement, the supporting evidence is deemed 'very uncertain'.
Furthermore, the study found minimal or no medium-term benefits for pain, function, muscle strength, or quality of life. In many instances, KT tape showed only marginal advantages over placebo or sham taping, with low certainty in these findings. Side effects, though rare, included skin irritation in 40% and itching in 30% of participants.
The analysis, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, highlights significant variations in study designs and a lack of robust evidence to support widespread clinical recommendations. The researchers concluded that the clinical effects of KT taping on musculoskeletal disorders remain highly uncertain, with potential side effects and inconsistencies limiting its practical use.
