Clinical Implications of Kinesiotaping for Forearm Muscle Function: Acute Effects on Grip Strength, Pain Sensitivity,...

Background/Objective: Kinesiotaping (KT) is widely used in sports and rehabilitation; however, evidence regarding its acute physiological effects on strength, pain sensitivity, and muscle oxygenation remains inconsistent. This study aimed to examine the acute effects of forearm KT on maximal grip strength, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and muscle oxygenation in healthy, physically active adults who performed a fatiguing exercise protocol. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 28 participants (56 forearms), each randomly assigned to one of four conditions: KT applied proximal-to-distal, KT applied distal-to-proximal, placebo taping (no tension), or no taping (control). All assessments were performed within a single session, before and after a standardized forearm fatigue protocol. The outcomes included maximal and average grip strength (digital dynamometer), PPT (digital algometer), muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) and total hemoglobin (THb) measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA (time × group) with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests. Results: All groups showed significant within-group reductions in grip strength after the fatigue protocol (Δ -2.8 to -7.9 kg; all p ≤ 0.01), confirming the effectiveness of fatigue induction. Between-group analysis revealed a significant effect only for SmO₂ (p < 0.001; η²p = 0.317), with the proximal-to-distal KT group showing the largest post-fatigue increase (Δ +22.4; p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 2.99) in SmO₂. However, a comparable increase in SmO₂ was also observed in the control group, suggesting a possible nonspecific reperfusion or oxygenation recovery effect. No between-group differences were observed in THb (p = 0.061), maximal grip strength (p = 0.092), average grip strength (p = 0.465), or PPT (p = 0.431). Conclusions: In healthy, physically active adults, forearm kinesiotaping did not produce significant acute effects on grip strength, pain threshold, or total hemoglobin levels following fatigue. Although a transient increase in SmO₂ was observed with proximal-to-distal taping, this change likely reflects a non-specific post-fatigue reperfusion response rather than a direct enhancement of perfusion. These findings support a physiological, rather than clinical, interpretation of KT's effects. Future studies should include clinical or athletic populations and explore whether repeated applications produce cumulative adaptations in muscle oxygenation and recovery processes.