Kinesio taping and manual pressure release: Short-term effects in subjects with myofasical trigger point

Yu Wen Chao; Jiu Jenq Lin; Jing Lan Yang; Wendy Tzyy-Jiuan Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jht.2015.10.003

Kinesio taping and manual pressure release: Short-term effects in subjects with myofasical trigger point

J Hand Ther. 2016 Jan-Mar;29(1):23-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2015.10.003. Epub 2015 Nov 6.

Authors

Yu Wen Chao¹, Jiu Jenq Lin², Jing Lan Yang³, Wendy Tzyy-Jiuan Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
² School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: jiujlin@ntu.edu.tw.
³ Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

PMID: 26705672
DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2015.10.003

Abstract

Study design: Randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and fascia tenderness.

Purpose of the study: We investigated the effects of manual pressure release (MPR) alone or in combination with taping (MPR/MKT) in subjects with MTrPs.

Methods: Fifteen and 16 subjects received MPR and MPR/MKT respectively. Outcomes including Pressure pain threshold, muscle stiffness, mechanomyography were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and 7-days later.

Results: Pressure pain threshold improved significantly (d = 1.79, p < 0.005) in both groups. Significant improvement in muscle stiffness in the MPR/MKT group (0.27-0.49 mm) as compared to the MPR group (-0.02-0.23 mm). Mechanomyography amplitude in the MPR/MKT group was significantly higher than that of the MPR group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: MPR and MPR/MKT are effective in reducing pain in these subjects. MPR/MKT has a greater effect on muscle stiffness and contraction amplitude.

Level of evidence: IV.

Keywords: Mechanomyography; Muscle stiffness; Myofascial pain syndrome; Taping.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Athletic Tape*
Female
Humans
Male
Musculoskeletal Manipulations*
Myofascial Pain Syndromes / therapy*
Myography
Pain Threshold
Single-Blind Method
Trigger Points
Visual Analog Scale