Effects of Kinesio taping on chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy pain and pain-free isometric plantar flexion strength: a multiple participant single-subject experimental study design.

Background/Aims: Achilles tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal pathology. Despite widespread use of Kinesio taping for treating chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy, sparse and primarily low-level evidence supports its use. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Kinesio...

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Publicado en:International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation Vol. 32; no. 8; pp. 1 - 14
Autores principales: Andraka, John M, O'Mara, Sean, Hisey, Charlie
Formato: clinical trial pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Mark Allen Holdings Limited Aug2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Aug2025
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        atl: Effects of Kinesio taping on chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy pain and pain-free isometric plantar flexion strength: a multiple participant single-subject experimental study design.
      aug:
        au:
          Andraka, John M
          O'Mara, Sean
          Hisey, Charlie
        affil: Department of Physical Therapy, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, USA
      sug:
        subj:
          Kinesiotaping
          Chronic Pain Therapy
          Achilles Tendinopathy Therapy
          Pain Management
          Isometric Contraction Evaluation
          Plantarflexion Physiology
          Muscle Strength Evaluation
          Treatment Outcomes Evaluation
          Biomechanics Evaluation
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Adolescence
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Aged, 80 and Over
          Clinical Trials
          Experimental Studies
          Questionnaires
          Visual Analog Scaling
          Dynamometry
          Stair Climbing
          Body Mass Index
          Functional Status
          Walking
          Stretching
          Athletes, College
          Funding Source
          Michigan
          Exercise Intensity
          Balance, Postural
          Physical Activity
          Jogging
          Calcaneus Physiology
          Gastrocnemius Muscle Physiology
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Aged, 80 & over
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background/Aims: Achilles tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal pathology. Despite widespread use of Kinesio taping for treating chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy, sparse and primarily low-level evidence supports its use. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Kinesio taping in improving pain-free plantar flexion strength and pain during functional tendon loading activities. Methods: A multiple participant, single-subject experimental design, using an A-B-A-B-A format over 5 consecutive days was implemented. The manipulated variable was Kinesio taping application: standardised, therapeutic Kinesio taping (B) was compared to no tension, sham Kinesio taping (A) in three participants with chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Outcome variables, derived from the VISA-A Questionnaire, included pain scores measured by a visual analogue scale during a 30-foot walk, stair descent, and 10 single-leg heel raises. Pain-free ankle plantar flexion strength was also measured using a handheld dynamometer. Results: For participant 1, visual analogue scale pain scores decreased by 3, 13 and 16 points respectively for the 30-foot walk (day 1: 7; day 5: 4), single-leg heel raises (day 1: 25; day 5: 12) and stair descent (day 1: 20; day 5: 4). Pain-free plantar flexion isometric force increased by 7.7 kg (day 1: 29.5 kg; day 5: 37.2 kg). Participant 2 did not exhibit any meaningful overall changes in visual analogue scale pain scores for any of the three testing activities (30-foot walk test: day 1: 7; day 5: 8, stair descent: day 1: 8; day 5: 15, and single leg heel raises: day 1: 14; day 5: 11, or pain-free plantar flexion isometric force (day 1: 42.2 kg; day 5: 34.9 kg). For participant 3, visual analogue scale pain scores decreased by 36, 65 and 70 points respectively for the 30-foot walk (day 1: 47; day 5: 11), single-leg heel raises (day 1: 90; day 5: 25) and stair descent (day 1: 80; day 5: 10). Pain-free plantar flexion isometric force increased by 28.1 kg (day 1: 15.5 kg; day 5: 43.6 kg). Fluctuations in outcome measures did not occur when comparing therapeutic and sham Kinesio taping in any of the participants. Conclusions: Kinesio taping resulted in overall improvements in pain and plantar flexion strength in two participants, perhaps indicating that the 'therapeutic' effects of Kinesio taping are not dependent on tape tension in certain individuals. Although this is the first experimentally designed study exploring the effectiveness of Kinesio taping on chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy symptoms, the authors intend for the methodology and results to guide future, more rigorous experimentally designed research. Implications for practice: This study supports the cumulative effects of Kinesio taping in lessening chronic, midportion Achilles tendinopathy pain during tendon loading activities in individuals with a healthy body mass index. Clinicians may consider the use of Kinesio tape as a short-term intervention aimed at improving tolerance to functional activities and therapeutic exercise.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        clinical trial
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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