Effects of Kinesio taping in patients with quadriceps inhibition: A randomized, single-blinded study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on quadriceps activation and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in patients with quadriceps inhibition.

DESIGN: Randomized, single-blinded.

SETTING: Laboratory.

PATIENTS: Sixteen participants (9 males, 7 females) with quadriceps inhibition, as determined by 90% or lower in central activation ratio (CAR), participated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) of the vastus medialis and quadriceps CAR and MVIC were measured before taping, and participants were randomly allocated to either KT (KT application with tension) or sham (non-elastic tape application without tension) group. H-reflexes were assessed immediately and 20 min after tape was applied over the rectus femoris. All outcomes were measured again after tape was removed when participants returned the laboratory 24-48 h after taping.

RESULTS: Two-way repeated ANOVA found no group-by-time interaction for: H-reflex (F3,42 = 1.94, P = 0.14), CAR (F1,14 = 0.03, P = 0.86), or MVIC (F1,14 = 0.007, P = 0.93). None of the outcome measures differed between groups or over time (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: KT applied to the rectus femoris did not change H-reflex of the vastus medialis and quadriceps CAR and MVIC in patients with quadriceps inhibition.