Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping with Exercise in De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis – A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Aim: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (DQT) is a common condition characterized by pain and inflammation in the thumb and wrist. However, the evidence supporting the effectiveness of Kinesio taping (KT) in combination with exercise remains limited. We propose to evaluate the efficacy of KT in conjunction with eccentric exercise compared to exercise alone in the treatment of DQT. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled study involving 38 participants divided into two groups of 19 in each, meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either Group A, receiving KT along with eccentric exercises or Group B, receiving eccentric exercises. Pain severity, grip strength, and pinch strength were assessed at baseline and after 3 weeks of intervention. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in pain severity in both Group A and Group B after 4 weeks of intervention. On within-group analysis, Group A demonstrated a statistically significant increase in pinch strength and grip strength, while no significant improvement in pinch and grip strength was observed in Group B. On between-group comparison, Group A displayed statistically significant improvement in controlling pain, improving pinch strength, and enhancing grip strength. Conclusion: KT with eccentric exercise was more effective than eccentric exercise alone for DQT, leading to reduced pain and improved grip and pinch strength. These findings suggest that clinicians may consider incorporating KT as an adjunct to eccentric exercises to enhance treatment outcomes in individuals with DQT.