REVIEW OF KINESIO® TAPING OR MEDICAL TAPING CONCEPT AS A METHOD IN PHYSIOTHERAPIST TREATMENT

Abstract

 Introduction: nowadays Kinesio® Taping or medical taping concept is a physiotherapist method very used in the practice of our profession. The most important difference with other taping methods is the lack of restriction of movement. Purpose: to analyze the effectivity of this method using the bibliography published of this area. Material and method: searches were realized in the databases MedLine, Sport Discus, Cochrane, PEDro, TESEO, Clinical-trials.gov and Science Direct; the Kinesio® Taping Association and the Spanish Association of Taping Neuro-Muscular were consulted. Some of the studies were found across simple searches in Internet, although some of them were not included due to its methodology. Limits were not established as for the date of publication of the articles, there were included clinical trials, clinical cases and case studies by definite methodology, in English, French or Spanish; and there were excluded those who were studying other method. In whole 26 articles were reviewed. Results: They were analyzed, being globally successful the application of this technique in aspects such as oedema, pain, proprioception, muscle strength, blood and lymph circulation, range of motion, joint dysfunction and neurological disorders. Conclusions: after discussing the literature collected and its analysis, we concluded that although kinesio tape is obtaining positive results, scientific validity must be provided through studies to demonstrate it and make its application less empirical.