The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Pain, Range of Motion, Hand Strength and Functional Abilities in Patients with Hand Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent joint diseases in older adults. Since hand has a key role in daily activities, impairment of hand causes disability and reduction of independency. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) on pain, range of motion, hand strength and functional abilities in patient with hand osteoarthritis. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 38 patients with the diagnosis of hand osteoarthritis were selected and randomly assigned to the kinesio tape plus exercise (KT-EXE) and exercise (EXE) groups. Each group included 19 patients that participated in an 8-week intervention. Visual analogue scale, Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire, goniometer and dynamometer measures were used to assess pain severity, upper extremity functional disabilities, range of motion, and grip strength, respectively before and after the intervention and at two months follow up. Results: There was no significant difference in pre-intervention scores between the two groups. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in pain, range of motion, hand strength and upper extremity functional abilities after intervention in KT-EXE and EXE groups. In addition, the follow up analysis showed significant changes, as compared to the initial assessments, except for the pain in the EXE group. Independent t-test revealed that change was significantly greater for KT-EXE group than EXE group at the post intervention at two months follow up assessments except for the wrist flexion and upper extremity functional abilities at final assessment. Conclusion: This study showed that kinesio tape and hand exercise may have a positive effect on improving pain, range of motion, hand strength and upper extremity functional abilities in patients with hand osteoarthritis and these two methods can be used simultaneously for rehabilitation of this condition.