Kinesiology Tape

What Does The Research Say About…

Performance? A 2018 systematic review by Reneker et al concluded that “there is a lack of compelling evidence to support the use of KT to enhance the sports performance abilities based on this review.”

Injury Prevention? A 2012 meta-analysis by Williams et al concluded that “there was little quality evidence to support the use of KT over other types of elastic taping in the management or prevention of sports injuries.”

Swelling? A 2015 randomized controlled trial by Nunes et al concluded that “the application of Kinesio Taping, with the aim of stimulating the lymphatic system, is ineffective in decreasing acute swelling after an ankle sprain in athletes.”

Proprioception? Studies by Aarseth, Bailey, de Oliveira, and Abbasi found no improvements in proprioception at the ankle, shoulder, or low back with the use of KT. 

Strength & Flexibility? A 2018 trial by Reynard et al reported “no clinical benefits of KT on ROM, strength, or pain were noted in a population of subjects who underwent rotator cuff surgery.”

Circulation? Studies by Stedge, Woodward, and Yang found no improvements in circulation or blood flow when KT was applied to the forearm, calf, or low back.

Lymphatic Drainage? The most recent Clinical Practice Guideline From the Academy of Oncological Physical Therapy states that KT “cannot be recommended to replace short-stretch compression bandaging in stage II and III breast cancer-related lymphedema.”

Pain? A 2020 systematic review with meta-analysis by Junior et al found “no evidence to support the use of KT in clinical practice for patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.”

Before ending this section, I want to point out two things:

1. This is not an all-inclusive list.

2. You can find research that demonstrates some benefits of KT

   . However, a 2014 systematic review by Parreira et al summarizes this information nicely – “When used for a range of musculoskeletal conditions, Kinesio Taping had no benefit over sham taping/placebo and active comparison therapies, the benefit was too small to be clinically worthwhile, or the trials were of low quality. Therefore, current evidence does not support the use of Kinesio Taping for musculoskeletal conditions.”