Kinesio taping use for rotator cuff pathology

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews recently published an article examining the advantages and drawbacks of employing kinesio taping (KT) in adults dealing with rotator cuff disease. The analysis encompassed 23 trials involving 1054 participants, scrutinizing KT's efficacy against sham procedures or conservative therapies. Traditionally, taping has served as a preventive and therapeutic measure for sports injuries, providing support and safeguarding joints or muscles during movement. While conventional tape offers rigidity, the more contemporary kinesio taping, developed in the 1970s by Dr. Kenso Kase, is elastic, adhesive, latex-free, boasting water-resistant properties.
Kinesio taping is used in various ways, as it can be applied in different shapes to achieve diverse therapeutic outcomes. These applications aim at restricting muscle performance, augmenting muscle activity, and facilitating lymphatic drainage. However, despite its widespread use, this systematic review posits that KT's effects on functional capacity, motion-induced pain, and active range of motion in rotator cuff disease remain uncertain when compared to sham procedures or alternative conservative treatments. Consequently, the authors conclude that despite its prevalent usage, KT's uncertain effects persist, acknowledging its practicality and safety but weighing these against the additional costs involved.