Does Kinesio taping correct exaggerated dynamic knee valgus? A randomized double blinded sham-controlled trial

Background

Deficiency in hip girdle neuromuscular control can cause exaggerated Dynamic Knee Valgus (DKV) which afflicts the knee joint and lead to knee injuries especially ACL injury in sports. Though Kinesio taping (KT) is known to improve function, stability and proprioception, the evidence is inconclusive on its effectiveness in athletes. We hypothesized that kinesio taping could enhance neuromuscular control of the hip girdle there by causing a reduction in DKV.

Aim/Objective

To determine whether KT on Gluteus medius can correct exaggerated dynamic knee valgus and improves hip abductor strength when compared to sham KT.

Method

40 collegiate level athletes, aged between 18 and 28 years, of both genders with presence of dynamic knee valgus (>8° for men and >13° for women) were recruited in the study. Athletes were excluded if they had history of lower back pain, history of any injury or surgery to the lower extremities during the past year. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into kinesio taping (KT) group and sham taping (ST) group. The Drop Jump test and the Donnatelli Drop Leg Test (DDT) were performed before, and on the third day, immediately after the application of KT on them and documented.

Results

There was a significant reduction in DKV among male 4.0° (95% CI 3.5–4.5); p < 0.001] and female 4.3° (95% CI 3.5–5.2); p < 0.002] immediately after application of taping but not on the third day after application of KT. There was a significant rise in DDT immediately and on the third day after application of KT between KT group and SC group.

Conclusion

There was a reduction in DKV immediately after the application of KT. However, there was no significant difference between KT group and SC group on the third day. Meanwhile, gluteus medius strength also showed significant improvement immediately after taping and it was maintained even on the third day.