The effect of kinesiology tape on knee proprioception in healthy subjects

Abstract

Background: Kinesiology tape can improve athletic performance; however, due to cutaneous stimulation its application can have an influence on proprioception.

Objectives: To determine the effects of kinesiology tape on knee proprioception applied to quadriceps, namely in the joint position sense (JPS) and in the threshold to detect passive movement (TTDPM), both immediately after and 24 h after its application.

Methods: Thirty young healthy participants were randomly divided into experimental and control group. In the experimental group, a kinesiology tape on the quadriceps muscle was applied. The JPS and the TTDPM of the knee was assessed before, immediately after and 24 h after the kinesiology tape intervention.

Results: No significant differences were found in the assessment made before intervention. The Friedman Test showed that kinesiology tape had no influence on JPS in either group over time (p > 0.05). However, the TTDPM decreased significantly immediately after and 24 h after its application (p < 0.05).

Keywords: Joint position sense; Sensorimotor system; Taping techniques; Threshold to detect passive movement.