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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 May 31:2021:6692828.
doi: 10.1155/2021/6692828. eCollection 2021.

Effects of Kinesio Tape on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Jianping Lin  1   2 , Ming Ling Guo  1 , Hao Wang  1 , Cheng Lin  1   2 , Guiqing Xu  1 , Aiping Chen  3 , Shaoqing Chen  3 , Shizhong Wang  1   2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effects of Kinesio Tape on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Jianping Lin et al. Biomed Res Int. .

Abstract

Background: Kinesio tape (KT) may be useful for the treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), but there has been no systematic review assessing their efficacy.

Objectives: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of KT on DOMS.

Methods: We searched seven databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and crossover randomized trials of KT in DOMS, from the earliest date available to December 31, 2019. The primary outcome was muscle soreness. The secondary outcome was muscle strength and serum creatine kinase (CK) level. The risk of bias was evaluated based on the Cochrane criteria. Data were analyzed using RevMan version 5.3.0 software. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Systematic review registration number is CRD42020157052.

Results: Eight trials (six RCTs and two crossover randomized trials) with 289 participants were included. KT use significantly reduced muscle soreness at 48 h (mean difference (MD): -0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.10 to 0.24, P = 0.002) and 72 h postexercise (MD: -0.81, 95% CI: -1.45 to -0.17, P = 0.01) but not at 24 h. KT use improved muscle strength at 72 h postexercise (standardized mean difference: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.69, P = 0.04) but not at 24 or 48 h. However, the serum CK level at 24, 48, and 72 h postexercise was not better in the KT group relative to the control group.

Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that KT might help to alleviate DOMS after strenuous exercise to improve muscle strength. Thus, using KT on the skin for more than 48 hours postexercise, but not for 24 h, appears more effective at relieving pain and improving muscle strength.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of the included articles. VIP: Chinese Scientific Journal Database; CNKI: China National Knowledge Information database.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk of bias summary and graph.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Meta-analysis of Kinesio tape on quadriceps muscle soreness.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Meta-analysis of Kinesio tape on quadriceps muscle strength.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Meta-analysis of Kinesio tape on serum CK level. CK: creatine kinase.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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