The Effects of Kinesiotaping

Compared to Orthotics on
Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis
By: May Ayache, Mason Freehling, Alex Gagnon, and Elizabeth Osantowski
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA):
- It is a slowly progressive disease, which may
cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and disability,
decreasing quality of life
- It effects weight-bearing joints (knees and hips)
- Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder
in the United States. Symptomatic knee OA
occurs in 10% men and 13% in women aged 60
years or older. The number of people affected
with symptomatic OA is likely to increase due to
the aging of the population and the obesity
epidemic.8
Why are we using “core”?
● The “core” refers to the muscles of the abdomen, low back, and pelvis.
○ A strong core will increase stability throughout your body as you move your
arms and legs.
● Lack of strength, mobility, and flexibility in surrounding areas of the body such as the
ankle, hip, and spine also can affect the knee.
● Taking these body regions into consideration is important to help with pain
management of knee OA.
● Strengthening the hip and core muscles can help balance the amount of force on the
knee joint, particularly during walking or running.
Purpose and Hypothesis

Purpose of this study: The purpose of our study is to examine the benefits of core
stability training with either kinesiotaping (KT) or orthotics on patients with knee OA.

Hypothesis: Kinesiotaping will be a superior alternative to promote functional

movements and improve muscle activation in patients with OA compared to Orthotic
devices.
Background
● KT has been shown to decrease pain, reduce inflammation, provide mechanical support and either
inhibit or facilitate a muscle. The afferent cutaneous stimulation provided by KT is believed to reduce
pain as well as stimulate mechanoreceptors, which in turn is believed to enhance proprioception and
improve muscle excitability through modulation of the central nervous system.1
● Kinesiotaping provides easy wear, inexpensive, comfortable, allows for more functional muscle
activation
● Orthotic devices requires the patient to be dependent, alter their gait, limits an individual’s function
● Orthotics have been shown to improve knee joint proprioception, reduction of knee pain or knee joint
instability. As well as acting on cutaneous mechanoreceptors that may contribute to improvements in
proprioception.5

Current Research Limitations:

● Research has focused on one treatment method and its effectiveness, but has not compared the
difference between orthotic and kinesiotaping
● Research for orthotics was only conducted in one session to see its immediate benefits, but long-term
use has not been examined
● Research for KT was conducted a month or less
○ most were immediate effects
 Review of the Literature
Anandkumar et al1 found that KT showed improvement in the isokinetic strength of the quadriceps and
decreased pain in patients with osteoarthritis.

Rahlf et al2 found that KT showed a decrease in pain according to the WOMAC questionnaire, decrease joint
stiffness, and increased functional ability in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Aydoğdu et al3 found that KT showed a decrease in pain, increase in range of motion, increase in quadriceps
strength between pre- and post- treatment measurements.

Cho et al4 found that KT showed a significant decrease in knee pain during walking and an increase in knee
AROM.
Research and Design Methods
● 90 geriatric subjects that present with Knee Osteoarthritis
○ 3 groups of 30 subjects will be formed using random assignment
■ Control group: Exercises only
■ KT group: KT and exercises
■ Orthotic group: Orthotic and exercises
○ Measurements taken:
■ Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, and Post Tx 2 weeks (to determine if there was an
effect between exercises only or in combination with KT and Orthotic)
Kinesiotaping Orthotic
Technique

Kinesio-tape has to be worn 24/7 Knee brace will be put on first thing in the morning and
and will be replaced twice a week. taken off when going to bed (only worn during day).
Participants
Inclusion criteria:
● 55-65 years old
● Diagnosed OA for at least 5 years in
one knee
○ Both knees does not mean they
are excluded, but only one
knee can be used in the study
● Scored a >48 on the WOMAC scale
● Functional status: limited ROM and
pain
Exclusion criteria:
● Previous orthopedic surgery
○ No TKA
● Allergies to KT
● Neurological Deficits
● Unable to walk without an assistive
device
● Other serious conditions
○ Rheumatoid Arthritis
● No anti-inflammatory medicine
Research and Design Methods Cont’d
● Each group will perform all the same exercises:
○ Bridges: 3 sets of 10 with 5 sec hold
○ Single Leg Raise: 3 sets of 10 with 5 sec hold
○ Seated Side Bending: alternating each side for 1 min, 30 sec rest,
then repeat exercise for additional 1 min. (2 min)
● Frequency: 1x per day for 7 days/week
Research and Design Methods Cont’d
● WOMAC index
○ to measure OA functionality
● EMG amplitude of the Rectus Femoris
○ to assess the amplitude of muscle contraction
● Single Leg Balance
○ Protocol: standing near high surface (to prevent falling), lift non-testing leg off
ground and balance on the testing leg, repeat 3 times and the longest time will
be recorded
● Analyzing Data by using:
○ Mixed-Repeated ANOVA
■ To analyze the three groups (Control, KT, Orthotic) for each exercise
■ For each variable, comparing 3 groups across 3 measurement periods
Expected Outcomes
Expected Outcomes
Expected Outcomes
Conclusion
● Kinesiotaping will:
○ To improve quality of life in patients with OA by increasing their
independence and functionality of the knee
■ Increase IADL’s
○ To decrease pain
○ To decrease WOMAC score
○ To increase ROM
 References
1. Anandkumar S, Sudarshan S, Nagpal P. Efficacy of kinesiotaping on isokinetic quadriceps torque in knee osteoarthritis: a
double blinded randomized controlled study. Physiother Theory Pract. 2014;30(6):375-383.
2. Rahlf A, Braumann K, Zech A. Kinesio taping improves perceptions of pain and function of patients with knee osteoarthritis. A
randomized, controlled trial. J Sport Rehabil. 2018:0(0):1-21.
3. Aydogdu O, Sari Z, Yurdalan S, Polat M. Clinical outcomes of kinesio taping applied in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a
randomized controlled trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017;30(5):1045-1051.
4. Cho H, Kim E, Kim J, Yoon Y. Kinesio taping improves pain, range of motion, and proprioception in older patients with knee
osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial” Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;94(3):192-200.
5. Cudejko T, Van der Esch M, Van den Noort J, Rijnhart J, Van der Leeden M, Roorda L, Lems W, Waddington G, Harlaar J,
Dekker J. Decreased pain and improved dynamic knee instability mediate the beneficial effect of wearing a soft knee brace
on activity limitations in persons with knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care & Res. 2018.
6. Zhijun L, Xiaoming L, Rongchun C, Chaoyang G. Kinesio taping improves pain and function in patients with knee
osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Surg. 2018;59:27-35.
7. Messier S, Rover T, Craven T, O’Toole M, Burns R, Ettinger W. Long-term exercise and its effect on balance in older,
osteoarthritic adults: results from the fitness, arthritis, and seniors trial (FAST). J Am Geriatr Soc, 2000;48(2):131-138.
8. Zhang Y, Jordan J. Epidemiology of osteoarthritis. Clin Geriatr Med. 2010;26(3):355-369.
9. WOMAC questionaire
https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/womac-osteoarthritis-index-reliability-validity-and-responsiveness-patients