This study, based on physical therapy interventions for menstruation disorders, observed the effect of Pilates stabilization exercises and Kinesio taping on dysmenorrhea and prostaglandin F2α levels. Female college students (n=37) who had >70 points on the mood disorder questionnaire (MDQ) and >4 points on the visual analogue scale (VAS) were divided into three different groups, the Pilates group (PG, n= 13), Pilates and Taping group (PTG, n=12), Taping group (TG, n=12). Pilates and taping were performed 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Pre- and post-menstruation difficulties were measured through the MDQ. Changes in blood prostaglandin F2α levels were also measured. Changes in pre- and post-menstrual pain and prostaglandin F2α levels were significantly reduced in the PG, PTG, and TG. Changes in pre- and postmenstrual pain and prostaglandin F2α levels resulted in significant differences in the PTG and TG. Dysmenorrhea and prostaglandin F2α levels were significantly decreased in the TG than in the PTG. These findings suggest that Pilates stabilization exercises and Kinesio taping are effective in decreasing menstrual difficulties and pain in female college students.

This study aimed to identify the effects of kinesio taping (KT) applied in a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern on the pain, weight-bearing distribution (WBD), and walking ability of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients. Thirty women with KOA were randomly allocated to a control group (n=15) with KT at the quadriceps only, and a PNF pattern group (n=15) with KT at the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analogue scale during walking. In addition, WBD, and walking ability were measured before and 30 minutes after KT application. The VAS significantly reduced in both groups after the intervention (p<.05). WBD (p<.05, ES=.32) and walking ability (p<.05, ES=.38) showed a significant change in the PNF pattern group, and in the inter-group comparison, the PNF pattern group showed a significant difference compared to the control groups. These results demonstrate that KT application with PNF pattern effectively attenuate the pain and improves WBD and walking ability in KOA patients.

The purpose of present study was to investigate the effect of kinesio taping on pulmonary function in stroke patients using manual wheelchairs. Twenty stroke patients were divided into a wood chair group (WCG, n=10), a wheelchairs group (WG, n=10), and a kinesio taping with wheelchairs group (KWG, n=10). Taping with wheelchairs group was applied kinesio taping on back muscles (vertical paraspinal strips and oblique strips). All three groups were trained in upright seated posture for 30 minutes. Pulmonary function tests were performed with forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity and peak expiratory flow as spirometer. There was a significant increase in forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity only in KWG. The results of this study demonstrate that kinesio taping has an immediate effect on the improvement of pulmonary function in stroke patients using manual wheelchairs.

본 연구는 테이핑 적용방법에 따른 근긴장도, 근경직도 및 악력의 변화를 알아보기 위해 실시하였다. 연구의 대상자는 20대 정상 성인 30명을 대상으로 하여 테이프를 늘리지 않고 붙이는 방법(non stretched taping)과 테이프를 늘려 붙이는 방법(stretched taping)을 통해 변인들을 측정하였다. 근긴장도와 근경직도는 Myoton pro 장비를 이용하여 측정하였으며, 악력계를 이용하여 악력을 측정하였다. 않은 자세에서 측정하였으며, 테이핑을 적용하기 전과 적용한 후를 대상자별로 임의로 순서를 정하여 측정하였고, 같은 동작에서 3번 측정하여 평균값을 사용하였다. 테이핑 적용에 따른 근긴장도, 근경직도 및 악력의 비교를 위하여 대응검정을 이용하여 분석하였으며, 중재 전·후에서 그룹간 차이를 보기 위하여 독립검정을 실시하였다. 본 연구의 결과 non stretched taping 적용과 stretched taping 적용 모두에서 근긴장도, 근경직도는 두 그룹 모두에서 통계적으로 유의한 감소를 보였으며, 악력은 두 그룹 모두에서 통계적으로 유의한 증가를 나타내었다. 그룹간 차이는 중재 전 근긴장도, 근경직도 및 악력은 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 중재 후 그룹간 차이는 근긴장도, 근경직도는 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 나타내지 않았으나, 악력의 경우 통계적으로 두 그룹간 유의한 차이가 나타났으며, stretched taping 그룹에서 더 높은 값을 나타내었다. 테이핑 적용 방법에 따른 근긴장도와 근경직도, 악력의 차이가 있기 때문에 테이핑 방법을 잘 적용하여 사용한다면 근육의 효과를 기대할 수 있을 것이다.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of kinematic taping therapy on menstrual distress, pain, and prostaglandinF2α. The experimental subject was a 24 years old woman with the pain of over 5 points on the dysmenorrhea measurement test and no unusual reactions on the taping test. The menstrual distress was measured by the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ), and the dysmenorrhea was measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after the intervention. The prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α) was measured on the first day of menstruation before the intervention and 24 hours after the taping therapy by the blood test. The intervention of kinematic taping was conducted by the instructor of the International Kinematic Taping Academy, and the taping was applied to the lower abdomen and the waist. According to the difference of menstrual distress before and after the intervention, the menstrual distress turned out to be decreased to 96 points after the intervention from the 115 points before the intervention. The dysmenorrhea also reduced 3 points on the VAS from 7 points to 4 points before and after the intervention. The PGF2α decreased from 26pg/㎖ to 20pg/㎖ before and after the intervention. Besides, the PGF2α decreased from 26pg/㎖ to 20pg/㎖ before and after the intervention. Results suggest that kinematic taping therapy could be useful to reduce the menstrual distress, pain, and PGF2α.

This study aimed to identify the effects of modified low-dye taping and foot intrinsic muscle strengthening exercise on foot pressure in people with flat feet. The subjects were 12 participants with flat feet in their 20s. They were randomly divided into two groups: taping and strengthening exercise. They performed the interventions twice a week for six weeks. The taping group was applied the modified low-dye taping. The exercise group was performed foot intrinsic muscle strengthening exercise for 30 minutes. The data were measured by Foot Pressure Measurement. There was no significant difference in plantar pressure between taping group and exercise group. There was also no significant difference in all variables before and after intervention in all groups. The present study suggests that taping and exercise can change the foot pressure in patients with flat-footed.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of joint mobilization with respiratory muscle taping on pulmonary function and chest expansion ability in patients with chronic stroke. Thirty subjects (n=30) were randomly divided into three groups: a joint mobilization group (n=10), a respiratory muscle-taping group (n=10), and a joint mobilization with respiratory muscle-taping group (n=10). Measurements for pulmonary function and chest expansion were performed to assess its effectiveness. A spirometer was used to measure the pulmonary function, and a tape measure was used to assess the chest expansion. In the joint mobilization group, peak expiratory flow (PEF) was increased. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and upper and lower chest expansion were also increased. All of variables of respiratory muscle-taping group also were increased. FEV1 and FVC were significantly different between joint mobilization with respiratory muscle-taping and respiratory muscle-taping group. The results of the present study suggest that mobilization with respiratory muscle taping increase the pulmonary function and chest expansion.

The purpose of this study was to identify the immediate effects of Maitland joint mobilization with kinematic taping in subacromial impingement syndrome patients. The Maitland joint mobilization was applied glenohumeral joint. The mobilization was performed at the end of rage to Grade IV. After that, kinematic tape was attached to shoulder joint (supraspinatis, infraspinatis, and trapezius muscles). The intervention period was four days. The measurement was done five times. The shoulder pain, range of motion (flexion, abduction, and rotation of the shoulder joint), muscle tone and stiffness (upper trapezius and deltoid muscle) were measured. The shoulder pain decreased. The range of motion (ROM) was increased all flexion, abduction, and rotation of the shoulder joint. Muscle tone and stiffness were decreased, especially upper trapezius of those was greatly decreased. The findings of present study suggest that Maitland joint mobilization with kinematic taping is effective in decreasing pain, muscle tone and stiffness, and in increasing shoulder ROM in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

Functional inner-wear being currently sold is being made without regard to the characteristics of various sports events. The purpose of this study is to identify this problem and to investigate the effect of sports taping on golf swing when wearing functional inner-wear. The subjects of this study were 8 male golfers belonging to Korea Professional Golf Association, and Launch monitor and Trackman were used to find out golf club action, ball pitch, distance, etc. There are three types of clubs: driver, wood, and iron, and the first experiment was carried out using only functional inner-wear. In the second experiment, we experimented with functional inner-wear after sports taping, and we compared and analyzed the distance depending on each experiment, the speed of the ball and the club, and the accuracy of the club face. The results of the study were as follows. As a result of driving distance, according to the presence of sports taping on functional inner-wear, there was a statistically significant difference in the driving swing and wood swing, for club and ball speed, there was a statistically significant difference only in the driving swing. Regarding the accuracy by the presence of sports taping on inner-wear, there was a statistically significant difference in the driving swing, wood swing, and iron swing. In conclusion, the sports taping in the functional inner-wear had a positive effect on golf performance improvement, and we hope that golf inner-wear these two specifications combing will be developed in the future.

Functional inner-wear being currently sold is being made without regard to the characteristics of various sports events. The purpose of this study is to identify this problem and to investigate the effect of sports taping on golf swing when wearing functional inner-wear. The subjects of this study were 8 male golfers belonging to Korea Professional Golf Association, and Launch monitor and Trackman were used to find out golf club action, ball pitch, distance, etc. There are three types of clubs: driver, wood, and iron, and the first experiment was carried out using only functional inner-wear. In the second experiment, we experimented with functional inner-wear after sports taping, and we compared and analyzed the distance depending on each experiment, the speed of the ball and the club, and the accuracy of the club face. The results of the study were as follows. As a result of driving distance, according to the presence of sports taping on functional inner-wear, there was a statistically significant difference in the driving swing and wood swing, for club and ball speed, there was a statistically significant difference only in the driving swing. Regarding the accuracy by the presence of sports taping on inner-wear, there was a statistically significant difference in the driving swing, wood swing, and iron swing. In conclusion, the sports taping in the functional inner-wear had a positive effect on golf performance improvement, and we hope that golf inner-wear these two specifications combing will be developed in the future.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Kinesio taping in each area of the ankle versus the knee to improve balance abilities and proprioception sense. The healthy twenty eight students were divided into two groups, Group A and B. Ankle taping was applied to Group A, and knee taping was applied to Group B. In the ankle taping group, significant increase of dynamic balance abilities was appeared in the forward, left ward and right ward (p<.05). In the knee taping group, there was significant increase of dynamic balance abilities in the forward and left ward (p<.05). There was no significant increase of static balance abilities in both groups. In both groups of ankle and knee taping, there was significant increase of proprioception sense. These findings suggest that ankle and knee taping was helpful for improving dynamic balance abilities and proprioception sense.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of kinematic taping on respiratory muscle strength in smokers. Twenty - five university students who smoke were involved in the study. All participants were applied to kinematic taping to breathe deeply again. Subjects sit on their backs straight up and place their hands on their thighs. Tape 1 is applied from the lower prominent neck vertebrae(seven cervical vertebra) inward and downward, past shoulder blade, around ribs to the lower tip of sternum. Tape 2 extends to the lower, outer edge of shoulder blade, around ribs to the lower tip of sternum. Respiratory muscle strength was measured with Micro Mouth Pressure Measurement before and after taping. The application of kinematic taping significantly improved the inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength (p<.05). These findings suggest that kinematic taping effective in improving respiratory muscle strength and deep breathing.

Background: Patients after rotator cuff (RC) surgery experienced pain, weakness and limited of motion of the shoulder. Physical therapists have used heat therapy, electrotherapy, range of motion (ROM) exercise and other methods to treat patients after RC surgery. In addition, functional taping is also used to support joint movement and to increase shoulder joint stability. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the initial effects of functional taping using non-elastic tape on pain, strength and ROM of the shoulder following RC surgery. Methods: Forty-eight patients with who underwent RC surgery volunteered for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG, n1=25) and a control group (CG, n2=23). First, non-allergic tape was applied to the shoulder to prevent skin irritation. The EG applied functional taping using non-elastic tape and the CG applied sham taping using elastic tape. Assessment tools included the shoulder pain and disability index for functional activity score, visual analog scale for level of pain, shoulder muscle strength, hand grip strength and ROM testing. Results: Pain score in the both group significantly decreased (p<.05), and change in pain score of in the EG increased significantly than in the CG (p<.05). Shoulder strength and ROM in the both group significantly increased (p<.05). Especially external rotation and extension of the shoulder ROM in the EG increased significantly more than in the CG (p<.05), but the rate of change in the two groups showed no significant difference. Conclusion: These results suggest that functional taping using non-elastic tape was initially effective in decreasing pain score level in patients with RC surgery.

Background: In the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, the goals of traditional physical therapy are not only to reduce the inflammatory process leading to pain, but also to decrease joint overload and muscle hyperactivity. To achieve those goals, physical therapists generally use a photo-therapy, joint mobilization, and massage. Objects: To examine the impact of an unloading technique using non-elastic taping on the pain, opening mouth, functional level, and quality of life in patients with TMJ disorder. Method: Twenty patients with TMJ disorder were included in this study and randomly divided into the experimental (n1=10), and control (n2=10) groups. Traditional physical therapy including massage and stretching for 30 min was performed in both groups. Non-elastic taping was performed in the experimental group after traditional physical therapy, and they were recommended to keep the tape attached for 12 hours. Outcomes for pain, functional level, and quality of life were measured using a survey. The opening mouth was measured using a general ruler. Result: Significant differences were observed in the pain level, opening mouth, functional level, and quality of life after the intervention and on follow-up in both groups. However, we found that while the levels of all parameters were maintained throughout the follow-up period in the experimental group, the functional status level was not maintained throughout the follow-up period in the control group. Conclusion: Our unloading technique using non-elastic tape results comparable to those achieved by traditional physical therapy in the treatment of TMJ. However, the unloading taping method using non-elastic tape is more effective than traditional physical therapy in maintaining the impact of intervention

The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate the effects of tape application on improving body conditions. The search strategy for this review included a literature search by members of the International Kinematic Academy in 12 countries between January 2014 and February 2015 using PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Google Scholar, websites and national journals. The search words included“Kinesiotape, Kinesio tape, kinesiotaping, elastic taping, taping, functional taping, myofascial taping, sensomotor taping”. The review included all articles, even those published in different languages. These searches resulted in 821 publications. There are several effects of tape application were revealed such as improving blood circulation, lymphatic circulation, body range of motion, activation of mechanoreceptor and joint stability, and decreasing pain. No one negative about the positive effects of taping, however the more effort is required to find evidence of effects of tape application.

Background: Increased foot pronation causes biomedchanical changes at the lower limbs, which may result in musculoskeletal injuries at the proximal joints. Pronation rear-foot leads to plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and posterior tibial tendonitis pathologically. According to the recent meta-analysis, They showed that therapeutic adhesive taping is more effective than foot orthoses and motion control footwear, low-Dye (LD) taping has become the most popular method used by physiotherapists. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of LD taping results in different ankle motion and ground reaction force (GRF) as before and after applied LD taping on pronated rear-foot during gait. Methods: Twenty-four participants were recruited for this study. The gait data were recorded using an 8-camera motion capture system and two force platforms. At first, the experiments were carried out that participants walked barefoot without LD taping. And then they walked both feet was applied LD taping. Results: The ankle inversion minimum was significantly greater after LD taping than before LD taping (p=.04); however, in the GRF, there were no significant differences in the inversion maximum or total motion of the stance phase (p=.33, p=.07), or in the vertical (p=.33), posterior (p=.22), and lateral (p=.14) peak forces. Conclusion: The application of taping to pronation rear-foot assists in increased ankle inversion.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of taping on knee joint for patellofemoral compressive force (PCF) during stair descent for elderly women. Ten healthy elderly women voluntarily participated in this study. A three-dimensional motion analysis system and force plates were used to analyze the movements of the joints for the lower extremities. The results were as follows: There were no significant differences for the maximum PCF, maximum quadriceps contraction force and maximum knee extension moment (p>.05) but, there was a pattern decreasing all values with the taping during stair descent. There were significant differences for the knee and ankle angle on the event of maximum PCF (p<.05) and there was a pattern decreasing all values with the taping during stair descent. Therefore, taping on the knee would be effective to relieve the pain like patellofemoral pain syndrome in the knee joint.

The purposes of this study were 1) to determine the effects of low-dye taping on peak plantar pressure following treadmill walking exercise, 2) to determine whether the biomechanical effectiveness of low-dye taping in peak plantar pressure was still maintained following removal of the tape during treadmill walking, and 3) to determine the trend towards a medial-to-lateral shift in peak plantar pressure in the midfoot region before and after application of low-dye taping. Twenty subjects with flexible flatfoot were recruited using a navicular drop test. The peak plantar pressure data were recorded during five treadmill walking sessions: (1) un-taped, (2) baseline-taped, (3) after a 10-minute treadmill walking exercise, (4) after a 20-minute treadmill walking exercise, and (5) after removal of the taping. The foot was divided into six parts during the data analysis. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to investigate peak plantar pressure variations in the six foot parts in the five sessions. This study resulted in significantly increased medial forefoot peak plantar pressure compared to the un-taped condition (p=.017, post 10-minute treadmill walking exercise) and (p=.021, post 20-minute treadmill walking exercise). The peak plantar pressure in the lateral forefoot showed that there was a significant decrease after sessions of baseline-taped (p=.006) and 10-minute of treadmill walking exercise (p=.46) compared to the un-taped condition. The tape removal values were similar to the un-taped values in the five sessions. Thus, the findings of the current study may be helpful when researchers and clinicians estimate single taping effects or consider how frequently taping should be replaced for therapeutic purposes. Further studies are required to investigate the evidence in support of biomechanical effectiveness of low-dye taping in the midfoot region.

Prolonged sitting can contribute to low back pain. The lumbar taping can be applied to correct the sitting posture. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lumbar taping on lumbar kinematics and the muscle activities of multifidus (MF) and internal oblique in the individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) as they type for 30 minutes. Nineteen subjects with NSCLBP (9 people in non taping group and 10 people in taping group) were recruited. Lumbar taping was applied to the taping group before typing. Both groups started typing in a neutral sitting position with their feet on the floor. The change of posture and S2 posterior tilting (S2P) were measured to investigate kinematic data. Three sensors were attached on T12, L3, and S2 to identify the change of posture. Surface electromyography was used to measure the muscle activities. Palpation meter was used to standardize the angle of pelvic tilt in sagittal plane before typing. All instruments were used to measure each data before and after typing. Independent t-test was used to compare the changing values of lumbar kinematics and muscle activities before and after typing between both groups. The changing values of S2P and change of posture of L3 and S2 were significantly smaller in the taping group compared to the non taping group (p＜05). The changing value of muscle activities of MF between before and after typing was significantly smaller in the taping group compared to the non taping group (p＜05). In conclusion, the lumbar taping during the 30-minute typing task can be applied to maintain correct sitting posture in the lumbar and pelvis and to maintain activation of MF.

Excessive lumbar flexion during sit-to-stand (STS) is a risk factor for lower back pain. Postural taping can prevent unwanted flexion of the lumbar spine. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of taping the lower back on the lumbopelvic region and hip joint kinematics during STS. Sixteen healthy subjects participated. All subjects performed the STS with and without taping of the lower back. A three-dimensional motion analysis system was used to measure the kinematics of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip joint during STS. The angle of the peak lumbar flexion, pelvic anterior tilting, and hip flexion and angular displacement of the lumbar spine between starting position and maximal lumbar flexion were collected. Paired t-tests, or Wilcoxon's rank-sum test for non-parametric distribution, were used to assess differences in the measurements with and without taping. A p-value ＜.05 was taken to indicate a significant difference. Significant differences were observed in the angle of the peak lumbar flexion, pelvic anterior tilting, hip flexion and angular displacement of the lumbar spine (p＜.05). Taping was associated with a significant decrease in the angle of peak lumbar flexion and angular displacement of the lumbar spine between the starting position and maximal lumbar spine flexion. In addition, the peak angle of pelvic anterior tilting and hip flexion were significantly increased with taping. The findings of this study suggest that taping the lower back can decrease excessive lumbar flexion, and increase the pelvic anterior tilting and hip flexion motion during STS.