Lower-Leg Kinesio® Tape Application Reduces Rate of Loading in Subjects with Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Date
2012-10-09
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if lower-leg Kinesio® taping has an effect on the rate of loading in subjects with medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). MTSS, commonly referred to as shin splints, is a common overuse injury that occurs in athletes. One of the major intrinsic risk factors of MTSS is an increase in pronation during the loading phase of gait. This study tested the effect of Kinesio® tape on rate of loading during gait in 20 healthy control subjects and 20 subjects with a history of MTSS. Subjects walked across a Tekscan® plantar pressure mat under 3 conditions: prior to tape application, immediately after tape application and after wearing the tape for 24-hours. Time-to-peak force (TTPF) measurements were recorded to measure rate of loading and compared between groups and across the three conditions in six areas of the foot using an analysis of variance. There was a significant interaction effect between group, condition, and foot area (F = 1.990, p = 0.033). Healthy subjects showed significantly higher TTPF values in the medial midfoot before tape application (p = 0.021) and MTSS subjects showed a significant increase in TTPF with tape application for the medial midfoot and lateral forefoot (p = 0.022, p=0.043, p = 0.031). Our results suggest that Kinesio® tape use may decrease the rate of loading in subjects with MTSS. This may be clinically significant in helping with the treatment of MTSS. Future research should assess how muscle activity is altered by tape use.
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Keywords
lower leg, medial tibial stress syndrome, MTSS, shin splints, Kinesio® taping