Does current evidence support the use of kinesiology taping in people with knee osteoarthritis?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the current evidence about the effects of kinesiology taping (KT) with different amounts of tension in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (via PUBMED), SciELO, COCHRANE Library, Scopus, PEDro, Web of Science and EMBASE were used as search databases. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent researchers searched these databases from inception until June 2020 using the descriptors "kinesiotaping", "kinesio taping", "kinesiotape", "tape", "taping", "kinesiology taping", "kinesiology tape", "kinesthetic taping" or "elastic therapeutic tape" associated with "knee osteoarthritis". We included clinical trials that compared the application of KT with and without tension in people with knee OA. DATE EXTRACTION AND QUALITY ANALYSIS: Data extraction included sample description, KT tension used in the study groups, duration of KT application, area of KT application, outcome measures and study methodological quality. The quality of the studies was evaluated by means of the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) score. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of the 850 studies identified, eight met the inclusion criteria and were ultimately included in this review. Most studies had moderate quality, with a satisfactory PEDro score. Results showed that KT application with tension was not superior to the application without tension for the outcomes of pain, physical function, range of motion and muscle strength. Evidence for edema, balance and quality of life is still limited. CONCLUSION: Current evidence does not support the use of kinesiology taping in people with knee OA.

Zumba dancing can improve the pain and functional capacity in women with fibromyalgia.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of physical exercise for patients with fibromyalgia (FM) is very clear in the literature. Dancing is a type of aerobic exercise that has great acceptance. In addition to the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise, Zumba works on motor coordination and also has socializing as a part that should be included in patients with fibromyalgia. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of Zumba dancing in improving pain, functional capacity, quality of sleep and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia. DESIGN: A pre-post treatment design. METHODS: We evaluated 19 women with fibromyalgia, selected by convenience. Data were collected in the second half of 2016. Zumba dancing was performed twice a week for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated at week 0 (T0) and at week 12 (T12), by the following instruments: VAS (Visual Analogic Scale), Likert Scale, TUG (Timed Up an Go Test), 6MWT (Six-minute Walk Test), FIQ (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), ESS (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and SF-36 quality of life. RESULTS: We found differences in pain (VAST0 = 6.21 and VAST12 = 4.53) with p = 0.001 and in the domain physical functioning of SF36 (T0 = 42.37 and T12 = 52.11) with p = 0.04. No differences were found for the other variables between the times. CONCLUSION: Zumba dancing as a form of treatment for three months for patients with fibromyalgia was effective in improving pain and physical functioning. Future controlled and randomized clinical trials should be performed to improve the evidence of Zumba dancing in women with fibromyalgia.