Function, Pain and Dynamic Balance Before and After Kinesio Taping in Older Women With Knee Osteoarthritis: a Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: The study aim to establish the effect of single-session Kinesio Taping (KT) application upon the function, pain, and dynamic balance in older women with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and Methods: Thirty-women with unilateral knee (OA) were included. A single-session KT intervention was applied to the quadriceps-femoris and hamstrings muscles. All assessments were performed three times, before Kinesio taping, 30 minutes and 48 hours after taping. Functional level and pain were evaluated with the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the dynamic balance was evaluated with the libra-computerized balance device. Results: Symptoms (p=0.001), pain (p=0.001), function-daily life (p=0.001), quality of life (p=0.01) subscale scores of KOOS and bipedal (p=0.005) and affected side (p=0.002) dynamic balance results showed statistically significant improvements among the three time points. Conclusion: A single session Kinesio taping application provided a statistically significant improvement and a short-term positive effect, which did not cause clinically significant changes in the function, pain and dynamic balances of elderly women with unilateral knee osteoarthritis.