During recent years scientific research has demonstrated a growing interest in elastic and anaelastic adhesive taping techniques. However, there are only a few studies investigating the principles behind the effects of taping.
A recent study’s objectives were to investigate the effects of taping application on the tone of the pectoralis major muscle at rest, in absence of any relevant pathologies.
The study involved a prospective, randomised and blinded clinical trial on healthy individuals and a repeated measures study design. Two different taping techniques (facilitatory and inhibitory) were applied over the pectoralis major of 24 healthy volunteers. The outcome measure was passive range of motion of external rotation of the glenohumeral joint.
The study* reported that facilitatory taping significantly enhanced the activity of the underlying muscle. Results showed a negative correlation between facilitatory taping application and the contralateral pectoralis major length, indicating a possible effect on the muscle tone of areas outside the site of direct application. The inhibitory taping application did not produce significant results.
This study was designed and carried out as a final research project at the Bachelor of Science degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Padua, Italy, and was reported in the Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies (2014) 18, 405e411
* Kinesiologic taping and muscular activity: A myofascial hypothesis and a randomised, blinded trial on healthy individuals, Alberto Gusella, BSc in Physiotherapy a, Marcello Bettuolo, BSc in Physiotherapy b, Francesco Contiero, BSc in Physiotherapy DipHE c, Giovanni Volpe, BSc in Physiotherapy a
a Padua University, Padua, Italy
b ASSFER Formazione e Ricerca, Padua, Italy
c British School of Osteopathy, London, UK
