Date Presented 04/05/19
This poster discusses the effectiveness of the Kinesio Taping Method to support occupational performance for people who have had a carpal tunnel release.
Primary Author and Speaker: Evangeline Randall
Additional Authors and Speakers: Kevin Tan, Michelle Winkeljohn, Patricia Siegel
PURPOSE: Occupational performance can be influenced by edema due to inflammation, limited range of motion, and pain following a carpal tunnel release (Ristow et al., 2014). The Kinesio taping method and Kinesio Tex tape were designed to mimic the elastic properties of skin, lifting the fascia and soft tissue above an area of inflammation, mitigating edema, and pain (Kase, Wallis, & Kase, 2003).
Over the past 4 decades Kinesio Tape has grown into a recognized method used internationally by medical professionals to treat a wide variety of conditions. Dr. Kenzo Kase developed a lightweight and flexible tape that can move with a person and remain wearable for days without irritating the skin. Along with the tape, Dr. Kase developed several application protocols for taping different types of dysfunctional conditions. The purpose of this pilot study is to determine if the application of KinesioTex Tape in a predetermined pattern reduces post-surgical inflammation and promotes a faster return to occupational engagement after carpal tunnel release.
DESIGN: This IRB approved study investigated the efficacy of Kinesio Tex Tape as an intervention to decrease pain, manage edema, and improve function in people who have had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Inclusion criteria included participants age 18-65 scheduled to have surgery for carpal tunnel. Exclusion criteria included people with a severe infection, atrophic skin, eczema, or psoriasis in the area to be taped; people with acrylic glue sensitivities; adults unable to consent; infants; children and teenagers; pregnant women; and individuals who were incarcerated. Participants who agreed to participate in the study answered questions regarding the history of tobacco use, use of medications—including steroid use, salt intake, diuretic use, and medical history.
METHOD: Three specific taping applications were applied immediately postoperatively: one specifically for pain and two for the reduction of edema and inflammation. A total of twenty-three subjects consented, completed demographic and medical information. Data was acquired using the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (Quick-DASH), and volumetric measurements to assess edema. Data was collected at baseline, 3 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-operatively.
RESULTS: Primary outcome measures included edema and function in everyday activities as measured on the Quick-DASH. There were no statistically significant differences present in any of the baseline variables (smoking, NSAID use, volumetric measurement, etc.). General trends of the preliminary data indicate volumetric measurements of edema were not statistically different in taped or non-taped groups. Preliminary results of the Quick-DASH assessment for taped groups improved, indicating participants self-reported level of disability declined post surgically, when compared with non-taped groups. The preliminary results from this pilot study suggest that the taping application had a positive impact on participants perception of their ability to resume participating in occupational activities.
CONCLUSION: The application of Kinesio tape may be a cost-effective method that poses minimal risk to people beyond a potential skin reaction or adhesive allergy. The Kinesio taping method has the potential to decrease the perception of disability in people who have undergone carpal tunnel release surgery, thereby facilitating a faster return to engaging in meaningful occupations. Further research should be performed to explore the efficacy of the Kinesio taping method across multiple post-surgical conditions.
References
Kase, K., Wallis, J., & Kase, T. (2003). Clinical therapeutic applications of the Kinesio Taping Method. (2nd ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Ken Ikai Co. Ltd.
Ristow, O., Pautke, C., Kehl, V., Koerdt, S., Hahnefeld, L., & Hohlweg-Majert, B. (2014). Kinesiologic taping reduces morbidity after oral and maxillofacial surgery: A pooled analysis. Physiother Theory Pract, 30(6): 390-398.
