Kinesio taping effect on quadriceps strength and lower limb function of healthy individuals: A blinded, controlled, randomized, clinical trial

• Quadriceps muscle strength did not increase in any of the groups.
• Functional improvements were noted, but there was no difference between groups.
• KT does not appear to improve quadriceps strength or lower limb function.

ObjectivesTo analyze kinesio taping (KT) effect on quadriceps strength and lower limb function over a 7-day period.DesignBlind randomized clinical trial.SettingHospital's Physical Therapy Department.ParticipantsSixty healthy individuals (30 men and 30 women) were randomly distributed into three groups: Control – without KT application; Placebo – placebo KT application and Experimental - A KT application designed to stimulate quadriceps femoris activity.Main outcome measuresThe quadriceps strength was measured using a manual dynamometer whereas lower limb function was assessed using the Single Hop Test for Distance. Evaluations occurred at five time-points: baseline; immediately, 3 and 5 days after KT application; and 72 h post KT withdrawal.ResultsThere was no significant interaction between time-points and groups for muscle strength: dominant (P = 0.13) and non-dominant (P = 0.41) and lower limb function: dominant (P = 0.09) and non-dominant (P = 0.53); but lower limb function within-group comparisons showed improvements in all groups at the evolution of all time-points analyzed for both limbs (P = 0.001). This is possibly due to a learning effect as the participants became more familiar with executing the assessment tests.ConclusionKT did not improve quadriceps strength and lower limb function of healthy individuals and its application with these objectives should be reconsidered.