Acute effect of kinesiotaping applied to the first finger of the patients with rheumatoid hand

Abstract

Background & Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a crippling disease characterized by joint pains and joint stiffness. Kinesiotaping (KT) has been advocated to reduce local pressure and increase circulation, resulting in decreased pain in various conditions. We aimed to evaluate the acute effect of KT on pain, function, range of motion (ROM) and grip strength parameters in patients with rheumatoid hand. Methodology: A total of 34 patients, 27 women and 7 men, diagnosed with RA were included in our study. All patients were divided into two groups; Kinesiotape group (Group KT) and control group (Group C), each consisting of 17 patients. Subjective pain intensity by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ROM by goniometer, functional evaluation with the Grip Skill Test, hand grip strength by dynamometer, and finger grip strength by pinchmeter were evaluated. The patients in the Group KT were taped with the mechanical correction method and the patients in the Group C were taped with tensionless I tape. Applications were made on both dominant and non-dominant hands. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54 +/- 20 y. VAS score changes at the time of grasping were significant in both groups (P < 0.05), but Group KT was more effective for reducing pain and increasing grip strength. An increase was observed in the wrist and thumb metacarpophalangeal joint ROM in the Group KT (P < 0.05). No change was observed in the groups in hand grip strength and finger grip strength (P > 0.05). In the Grip Skill test, there was a significant difference after the application in both groups (P < 0.05), but there was no difference in between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Kinesiotaping applied in rheumatoid hand patients was found to be effective in increasing functionality and joint range of motion, as well as reducing pain during gripping.