Researches for the effect of KT Method often show different results. Hsu and his
colleagues applied taping on baseball players with shoulder impingement, and then measured the EMG activities of the upper and lower trapezius. They found significant increased of the lower trapezius muscle activity in the arm-lowering phase (60-30°, p < 0.05) in comparison to the placebo taping. Similar research with increasing bioelectrical activity of vastus medialis muscle was reported by Slupik et al.. Others research such as Firth et al. used the Hoffman reflex amplitudes to assess the effect of taping on people with Achilles
tendinopathy. They reported that the H reflex remained unchanged in the soleus and
gastrocnemius in study group.
Therefore, more research studies are necessary to clarity the effectiveness of KT
method. Many limitations in researches shall be overcome, and it is very difficult in building random or double blind trials. Furthermore, the taping techniques were variable in previous studies. Although all procedures of KT for a similar disorder were performed according to Kase’s original concept, different practitioners might perform different technique based on
their previous experience and manner and could induce the bias.
Another limitation for research is the placebo effect. Some research announced that visual input of different color and the sensation stuck on skin may make the positive expectancy, and may make the patients feeling confidence, stability, and reassurance.
Besides, no suitable machine or image data can confirm the effect of taping at anytime
and anywhere. With the functional improvement of ultrasound, certain landmark could be tracked more easily. By using sonography, we can exactly definite the depth, certain muscle, surrounding tissue, and note the twitch response during injection. We can not only avoid injury from treatment, but also increase the specificity of the target tissue for taping. For example, in cases with epicondylalgia after KT Method application, Liu and his colleagues reported improvement of epicondylar muscles sliding in ultrasonic image when wrist was moving. Since the flexibility of tissue correlating to the pathologic status, sonoelastography can be used for identifying the location, and may be considered for researching of outcomes after taping.
8. Conclusion
In clinical practices, KT Method was applied in sports injuries, post-operative
complications, various pain problems, and many other conditions. The tape is simple to carry out, economical and less traumatic. In treatment of patient with MPS who cannot be
rehabilitated regularly, some researchers suggested taping through self-application as a new therapy. However, self-application of tape may be difficulty in some aspects including the limited knowledge in anatomy or biomechanics, the inadequate knowledge in trigger point examination, the lack of experience of taping method, the requirement of both hands using, and the location of the MTrP (such as rhomboid muscle). Therefore, most people cannot tape by themselves. In order to obtain a better effect, it is also necessary to combine therapeutic exercise, postural changing, and adjustment of daily living. Finally, we considered that KT Method could be applied as another choice of MTrP therapy, but need more researches to confirm the effectiveness.
Conflict of Interests
Financial disclosure statements have been obtained, and no conflicts of interest have been reported by the authors or by any individuals in control of the content of this article.
Author’s Contributions
C.-Z. Hong had provided the same effort as W.-T. Wu.
Acknowledgement
This study was supported in part by Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare Clinical Trial and Research Center of Excellence (MOHW104-TDU-B-212-113002) and by China Medical University (CMU) under the Aim for Top University Plan of the Ministry of Education, Taiwan.
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