Taping Therapy in Korean Medicine: A scoping Review

Objectives: This study aimed to examine clinical research trends on taping therapy in traditional Korean medicine and suggest further research directions to support its clinical application.Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Five Korean databases (RISS, KISS, KCI, OASIS, KoreaMed) were searched for clinical studies published up to March 14, 2025, using the keywords “tape” and “taping.”Results: Twenty-nine studies were included. Twenty-two studies were published between 1999 and 2008, indicating active research. Randomized controlled trials were the most common design (n = 11), and elastic tape was the most frequently used modality (n = 20). Musculoskeletal disorders were the most commonly studied condition (n = 17). In most studies (n = 21), taping was applied in combination with other treatments. Improvements were primarily reported in pain and functional outcomes, while adverse events were reported in only two studies.Conclusions: The findings suggest that taping therapy may have potential as a complementary intervention in traditional Korean medicine. Further research is needed to expand its indications and to develop standardized treatment protocols.