Effect of Kinesio Taping on Pain, Proprioception and Standing Balance in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Comparative Experimental Study

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a very common degenerative joint disorder with features of pain, stiffness, muscle weakness and functional limitations. Impaired proprioception and balance may further affect functional performance and increase the risk of instability. Kinesio taping (KT) has been proposed as an adjunctive intervention for reducing pain and improving proprioceptive function in individuals with KOA. Aim: To determine the effects of Kinesio taping on pain, knee proprioception and standing balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis and to compare these effects with placebo taping. Materials and Methods: This experimental comparative study was conducted at a college of physiotherapy, over a period of six months. Sixty patients with grade II–III knee osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification, aged 45–65 years and having a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain score of 4–10, were included. The participants were randomly divided into an experimental group who received KT and a control group who received placebo taping (n = 30 per group). Pain was assessed using the NRS, proprioception using a knee joint angle-reproduction test, and standing balance using single-leg stance time. Outcomes were assessed before taping and 48 hours after application. Within-group changes were analysed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test, while between-group changes were compared using an unpaired t-test with Welch correction. Results: In the KT group, NRS scores decreased from 6.366±1.671 to 3.266±1.530 (p<0.0001), angle-reproduction error decreased from 7.069±3.683° to 2.900±2.325° (p<0.0001), and single-leg stance time increased from 19.863±12.576 seconds to 39.966±23.629 seconds (p<0.0001). The placebo-taping group also demonstrated significant within-group changes in NRS, proprioception and standing balance. Between-group analysis showed significant differences in change scores for pain (p<0.001), proprioception (p=0.0182) and standing balance (p=0.0006), favouring KT. Conclusion: A single application of KT to the quadriceps was associated with greater short-term improvements in pain, knee joint position sense and single-leg standing balance than placebo taping in patients with grade II–III KOA. KT may therefore be considered as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation; however, the longer-term effects require further investigation.