Efficacy of kinesio taping on hand functioning in patients with mild carpal tunnel syndrome. A double-blind randomized controlled trial. (2021)

PICO

Patient/Population

Mild carpal tunnel syndrome for at least 8 weeks

(n=42)

Intervention

  • Exercises
  • Kinesio Taping (KT)

Comparison

  • Exercises
  • Sham Kinesio Taping

Outcomes

  • Function

  • Disability

  • Pain

Translatability:   (3/3) Easy                                    

Comments: KT combined with specfic exercises may be more effective than exercise alone for improving hand function and symptoms in patients affected by mild CTS.
Limitations: The reproducibility of KT, a technique subjected to operator-dependent variations; KT might have different effects according to the potential anatomical differences; no data on the potential confounding factors, such as the use of anti-iflammatory drugs; small sample size.

Appraisals:

PEDro Scale  – (8/10) Concealed allocation: No; Blind therapists: No. (by PEDro – confirmed)

Trustworthiness – The study contains no serious weaknesses. Based on this result you should conclude that the trustworthiness of the study is high (90%). This means there is a 10% chance that alternative explanations for the effect found are possible. The effect size was large and 95% CI was OK. (by CAT)

Metrics and
Journal Details:
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BTB

Intervention – 1

  • Exercise

Dose

  • 10 repetions

Periodicity

  • 2 sessions/week for 5 weeks

Local/Technic:

1) active mobilization of interosseous muscles;  2) activation of flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus; 3) active opposition of the thumb on the palm of the hand; 4) active opposition of thumb on each finger distal phalanx; 5) active metacarpophalangeal joints mobilization; 6) active flexion and extension of the radiocarpal joint.

    Intervention – 2

    • Kinesio taping

    Dose

    Periodicity

    • Patients wore KT until the following session.

    Local/Technic:

    According to the lymphatic correction technique, proposed by Kase (2003). The tape was cut in five strips and applied on palm and dorsum of patients’ hands (wrist at 30 ° extension, forearm in supination, and elbow in extension), using a very light tension (0- 15% of available), to relieve iflammation and edema.

    Citation:

    A. de Sire, C. Curci, M. Ferrara et al., Effectiveness of kinesio taping on hand functioning in patients with mild
    carpal tunnel syndrome. A double-blind randomized controlled trial, Journal of Hand Therapy, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2021.04.011

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