• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of taping method using elastic tape and non-elastic tape on pain, grip strength and muscle activity in middle-aged female patients with lateral epicondylitis. METHODS: The subjects were 40- to 50-year-old female patients with lateral epicondylitis. A total of 22 subjects were divided into two groups, and each group had 11 patients. The intervention was carried out three times a week for 4 weeks. One group applied tape using elastic tape (ETG) while the other group applied tape using non-elastic tape (NETG). The measurement factors were pain, grip strength, and muscle activity. Pain was measured using VAS. Grip strength was measured using a grip dynamometer, and muscle activity was measured using EMG in the affected extensor carpi radialis brevis. Changes in interventions were compared among the groups using a paired t-test. The comparison between groups compared delta values (Changed values) between pre- and post-intervention using an independent t-test. RESULTS: In both groups, there was a statistically significant decrease in VAS. However, there was no statistically significant decrease in the delta value of VAS between ETG and NETG. In both groups, grip strength and muscle activity increased after intervention. There were statistically significant differences in delta values between ETG and NETG. CONCLUSION: Taping is a good intervention method for patients with lateral epicondylitis. Both elastic tape and non-elastic tape were effective. In particular, taping using elastic tape is an effective method for improving muscle function with pain reduction.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.30-39
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in gait and mobility according to the types of assistive device for ankle joint including ankle foot orthosis (AFO), non-elastic tape, elastic tape, and high ankle shoes in chronic hemiplegic stroke survivors. Design: A cross-over design. Methods: Twelve hemiplegic stroke survivors participated in this study, and they walked under 5 different conditions including bare feet, wearing a AFO, wearing a non-elastic tape, wearing a elastic tape, and wearing a high ankle shoes. During the participants walked, the spatio-temporal gait analysis and mobility examinations were performed. For the spatio-temporal gait analysis (gait velocity and cadence, step length, stride length, and single and double leg support time) and mobility examinations, the gait mat, TUG and TUDS were used. Results: As s results, on the AFO, non-elastic tape, elastic tape, and high ankle shoes, there were significantly differences in the all spatio-temporal gait parameters, TUG, and TUDS compared to barefoot (p<0.05). In particular, all spatio-temporal gait parameters, TUG, TUDS were significantly improved with AFO compared to barefoot. TUG was significantly improved with AFO compared to non-elastic tape, TUG and TUDS were significantly improved with AFO compared to elastic tape, gait velocity was significantly improved with non-elastic tape compared to high ankle shoes, gait velocity and TUG were significantly improved with elastic tape compared to high ankle shoes, and TUDS was significantly improved with non-elastic tape compared to elastic tape. Conclusion: The AFO, non-elastic tape, elastic tape, and high ankle shoes showed a positive effect on gait and mobility compared to barefoot, and among them, wearing AFO was most effective for improving gait and mobility of chronic hemiplegic stroke survivors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the low dye taping technique on the static and dynamic balancing ability and navicular bone drop when the low dye taping technique was divided into elastic and non-elastic taping. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 31 volunteers without musculoskeletal disorders. The length (L) and anterior (A), posteromedial, and posterolateral values of the arch in the NO (normal eyes open), NC (normal eyes closed), PO (pillow with eyes open), and PC (pillow with close eyes closed) states were evaluated when barefoot and when Kinesio tape and non-elastic tape were applied. The measurements were analyzed using repeated ANOVA and an independent t-test. Post hoc tests were performed using a Fisher's LSD. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the arch L and A values using a foot scanner (p < .05). In addition, there was a significant difference in dynamic balance in the three directions (p < .05), and no difference was found in the case of static balance. As a result, non-elastic tape application helps improve the dynamic balance ability and arch of the foot. CONCLUSION: The non-elastic tape technique is helpful for the foot arch function, and there is no difference in the static balance ability between Kinesio tape and non-elastic tape. Nevertheless, non-elastic tape is more helpful for the dynamic balance ability than Kinesio taping.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.141-150
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of non-elastic and elastic tapes on pain, craniovertebral angle, and balance in forward head posture (FHP) patients. METHODS: A total of 44 adults with FHP were randomly assigned to a group that performed a stretching exercise after non-elastic taping (n = 22) and another group that performed the stretching exercise after elastic taping (n = 22), respectively. The stretching exercise was performed five times a week for 30 minutes per session. The visual analogue scale was used to compare neck pain, the craniovertebral angle was measured to compare alignment, and the limit of stability was measured to compare balance. RESULTS: The groups that performed the stretching exercise after both elastic and non-elastic taping showed significant positive changes in pain and the craniovertebral angle of the head in pre- post measurements (p < .05). In the follow-up test for the pain and craniovertebral angle, there was no significant difference from the post-test in the non-elastic group (p > .05), but a significant difference was seen in the elastic group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Stretching exercises with taping for patients with a FHP are more effective in improving pain and alignment. However, the short-duration tape application did not affect the balancing ability. When the non-elastic tape was used, the effect lasted longer than that of the elastic tape, and pain relief was effective in the case of the elastic tape. Therefore, tape therapy would be more effective if customized according to the patient's condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.527-534
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• 2010

Purpose : The application of tape to modulation of pain and muscular excitability has become common clinical practice among musculoskeletal physical therapy. However, the techniques of the tape application has been relied on empirical evidence in preference to the neurophysiological evidence. Thus, the mechanism of taping has to be elucidated further. The aim of this study was to determine whether elastic and non-elastic taping across a muscle does indeed change ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability. Methods : The study was performed on 10 neurologically healthy adults. Two different types of tape were applied to skin overlying gastrocnemius. The elastic tape stretched up to 120% of its original length but non-elastic tape didn't stretched up of its original length. The tape applied across the direction on thickest part of the gastrocnemius. The ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability of the gastrocnemius was assessed using the gastrocnemius H-reflex. The amplitude of the M-wave and H-reflex were measured across three conditions: before tape application, with tape and with the tape removed. Results : No significant changes of the excitability of the ${\alpha}$-motor neuron were obtained across three condition, either in the elastic and non-elastic tape. Conclusion : From the results, I could come to the conclusion that further clinical work will be required.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2017

Background: Patients after rotator cuff (RC) surgery experienced pain, weakness and limited of motion of the shoulder. Physical therapists have used heat therapy, electrotherapy, range of motion (ROM) exercise and other methods to treat patients after RC surgery. In addition, functional taping is also used to support joint movement and to increase shoulder joint stability. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the initial effects of functional taping using non-elastic tape on pain, strength and ROM of the shoulder following RC surgery. Methods: Forty-eight patients with who underwent RC surgery volunteered for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG, $n_1=25$) and a control group (CG, $n_2=23$). First, non-allergic tape was applied to the shoulder to prevent skin irritation. The EG applied functional taping using non-elastic tape and the CG applied sham taping using elastic tape. Assessment tools included the shoulder pain and disability index for functional activity score, visual analog scale for level of pain, shoulder muscle strength, hand grip strength and ROM testing. Results: Pain score in the both group significantly decreased (p<.05), and change in pain score of in the EG increased significantly than in the CG (p<.05). Shoulder strength and ROM in the both group significantly increased (p<.05). Especially external rotation and extension of the shoulder ROM in the EG increased significantly more than in the CG (p<.05), but the rate of change in the two groups showed no significant difference. Conclusion: These results suggest that functional taping using non-elastic tape was initially effective in decreasing pain score level in patients with RC surgery.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.29-39
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• 2016

Background: In the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, the goals of traditional physical therapy are not only to reduce the inflammatory process leading to pain, but also to decrease joint overload and muscle hyperactivity. To achieve those goals, physical therapists generally use a photo-therapy, joint mobilization, and massage. Objects: To examine the impact of an unloading technique using non-elastic taping on the pain, opening mouth, functional level, and quality of life in patients with TMJ disorder. Method: Twenty patients with TMJ disorder were included in this study and randomly divided into the experimental ($n_1$=10), and control ($n_2$=10) groups. Traditional physical therapy including massage and stretching for 30 min was performed in both groups. Non-elastic taping was performed in the experimental group after traditional physical therapy, and they were recommended to keep the tape attached for 12 hours. Outcomes for pain, functional level, and quality of life were measured using a survey. The opening mouth was measured using a general ruler. Result: Significant differences were observed in the pain level, opening mouth, functional level, and quality of life after the intervention and on follow-up in both groups. However, we found that while the levels of all parameters were maintained throughout the follow-up period in the experimental group, the functional status level was not maintained throughout the follow-up period in the control group. Conclusion: Our unloading technique using non-elastic tape results comparable to those achieved by traditional physical therapy in the treatment of TMJ. However, the unloading taping method using non-elastic tape is more effective than traditional physical therapy in maintaining the impact of intervention.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.167-174
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• 2008

The application of tape is being widely used for treatment of the musculoskeletal disorders and injury prevention. The techniques of the tape application has been relied on empirical evidence in preference to the neurophysiological evidence. Thus, the mechanism of taping has to be elucidated further. In this study, we assessed the effect of the elastic and non-elastic tape upon the gastrocnemius ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability using the gastrocnemius H-reflex. The amplitude of the M-wave and H-reflex were measured across three conditions: before tape application, with tape and with the tape removed. No significant changes of the excitability of the ${\alpha}$-motor neuron were obtained across three condition, either in the elastic and non-elastic tape. This results were quite different with other recent studies, which needs to be explored further.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.67-73
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pain, balance, and left / right step time difference between elastic taping and non-elastic taping in patients with acute ankle sprain. METHODS: The subjects were patients with acute ankle sprains who had been injured within 1 day. A total of 30 subjects were divided into three groups (CG: control group, EG1: experimental group 1, EG2: experimental group 2) of 10 people. The intervention period was 3 days. In the CG, only physical therapy (cryotherapy+pulsed ultrasound) was performed, while physical therapy and elastic taping were applied in EG 1 and physical therapy and non-elastic taping were applied in EG 2. RESULTS: Changes in pain, balance and left / right step time difference following intervention decreased significantly in all three groups. After intervention, the balance between the groups differed significantly between the CG and the EGs. In addition, the left / right step time difference differed significantly between the CG and EGs, as well as between the EG 1 and the EG 2. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapy is helpful for treatment of pain associated with acute ankle sprain. Taping is considered to be a way to provide more balance and gait ability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.92-101
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• 2023

Background: Stroke is one of the causes affecting gait and balance. Taping is considered an effective method for improving balance and gait in stroke patients. Numerous studies have confirmed the functional effects of taping in stroke patients. However, there is still no consensus regarding the use of taping to improve gait and balance. Objects: The purpose of this review was to investigate the effects of taping on the balance and gait of patients with stroke through meta-analysis of studies. Methods: PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Review, RISS, DBPia, and Science on were used to collect articles on Kinesio and non-elastic taping. The key terms were "Stroke", "Hemiplegia", "Taping", "Tape", "Balance", and "Gait" with cut-off of October, 2022. Taping group was compared with control groups with sham, placebo, and no taping. The outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and gait speed (cm/s). Eighteen studies (524 patients) were selected for the meta-analysis. Results: Overall, taping improved balance and gait in stroke patients, and Kinesio and non-elastic taping had similar effect sizes. Taping improved the BBS and TUG, and was most effective on gait speed. Contrary to the expectation that a longer duration of taping would be more affective, taping was most effective when the total taping duration was shorter than 500 minutes. In addition, the effect size of taping was greater when it was simultaneously attached to multiple locations. Conclusion: This meta-analysis supports the use of taping to improve gait and balance in stroke patients, and provides guidelines for the location, duration, and type of tape to increase taping efficiency.