Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States
# Background The existing body of kinesiology tape (KT) research reveals inconsistent results which challenges the efficacy of the intervention. Understanding professional beliefs and KT clinical application might provide insight for future research and development of evidence-based guidelines. #...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
North American Sports Medicine Institute
2021-06-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.22136 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1825139408932700160 |
|---|---|
| author | Scott W Cheatham Russell T Baker Thomas E Abdenour |
| author_facet | Scott W Cheatham Russell T Baker Thomas E Abdenour |
| author_sort | Scott W Cheatham |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | # Background
The existing body of kinesiology tape (KT) research reveals inconsistent results which challenges the efficacy of the intervention. Understanding professional beliefs and KT clinical application might provide insight for future research and development of evidence-based guidelines.
# Purpose
The purpose of this study was to survey and document the beliefs and clinical application methods of KT among healthcare professionals in the United States.
# Design
Cross-sectional survey study.
# Methods
A 30-question online survey was emailed to members of the National Athletic Trainers Association, Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, and American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy. Professionals were also informed through a recruitment post in different private healthcare Facebook groups.
# Results
One thousand and eighty-three respondents completed the survey. Most respondents used KT for post-injury treatment (74%), pain modulation (67%), and neuro-sensory feedback (60%). Most believed that KT stimulates skin mechanoreceptors (77%), improve local circulation (69%), and modulates pain (60%). Some respondents believed KT only created a placebo effect (40%) and use it for such therapeutic purposes (58%). Most used a standard uncut roll (67%) in black (71%) or beige (66%). Most respondents did not use any specialty pre-cut tape (83%), infused tape (99.54%), or a topical analgesic with tape (65%). The most common tape tension lengths used by respondents were 50% tension (47%) and 25% (25%) tension. Patient reported outcomes (80%) were the most common clinical measures. Most respondents provided skin prep (64%) and tape removal (77%) instructions. Some did not provide any skin prep (36%) or tape removal (23%) instruction. The average recommended times to wear KT were two to three days (60%). The maximum times ranged from two to five days (81%).
# Conclusion
This survey provides insight into how professionals use KT and highlights the gap between research and practice. Future research should address these gaps to better determine evidence-based guidelines.
# Level of Evidence
3 |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c17d4c3385fa48359fb671f724e61d57 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-c17d4c3385fa48359fb671f724e61d572025-02-11T20:29:55ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962021-06-01163Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United StatesScott W CheathamRussell T BakerThomas E Abdenour# Background The existing body of kinesiology tape (KT) research reveals inconsistent results which challenges the efficacy of the intervention. Understanding professional beliefs and KT clinical application might provide insight for future research and development of evidence-based guidelines. # Purpose The purpose of this study was to survey and document the beliefs and clinical application methods of KT among healthcare professionals in the United States. # Design Cross-sectional survey study. # Methods A 30-question online survey was emailed to members of the National Athletic Trainers Association, Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, and American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy. Professionals were also informed through a recruitment post in different private healthcare Facebook groups. # Results One thousand and eighty-three respondents completed the survey. Most respondents used KT for post-injury treatment (74%), pain modulation (67%), and neuro-sensory feedback (60%). Most believed that KT stimulates skin mechanoreceptors (77%), improve local circulation (69%), and modulates pain (60%). Some respondents believed KT only created a placebo effect (40%) and use it for such therapeutic purposes (58%). Most used a standard uncut roll (67%) in black (71%) or beige (66%). Most respondents did not use any specialty pre-cut tape (83%), infused tape (99.54%), or a topical analgesic with tape (65%). The most common tape tension lengths used by respondents were 50% tension (47%) and 25% (25%) tension. Patient reported outcomes (80%) were the most common clinical measures. Most respondents provided skin prep (64%) and tape removal (77%) instructions. Some did not provide any skin prep (36%) or tape removal (23%) instruction. The average recommended times to wear KT were two to three days (60%). The maximum times ranged from two to five days (81%). # Conclusion This survey provides insight into how professionals use KT and highlights the gap between research and practice. Future research should address these gaps to better determine evidence-based guidelines. # Level of Evidence 3https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.22136 |
| spellingShingle | Scott W Cheatham Russell T Baker Thomas E Abdenour Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States |
| title_full | Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States |
| title_fullStr | Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States |
| title_full_unstemmed | Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States |
| title_short | Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States |
| title_sort | kinesiology tape a descriptive survey of healthcare professionals in the united states |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.22136 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT scottwcheatham kinesiologytapeadescriptivesurveyofhealthcareprofessionalsintheunitedstates AT russelltbaker kinesiologytapeadescriptivesurveyofhealthcareprofessionalsintheunitedstates AT thomaseabdenour kinesiologytapeadescriptivesurveyofhealthcareprofessionalsintheunitedstates |