Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping Combined with Closed Kinematic Chain Exercise on Pain and Functional Performance in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis at Lamduan Hospital

Abstract

Background: Closed Kinematic Chain (CKC) exercise is considered a primary rehabilitation intervention for improving functional performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis. In addition, Kinesio Taping (KT) may further enhance treatment effectiveness by reducing pain and improving functional outcomes.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping combined with Closed Kinematic Chain (CKC) exercise in reducing pain and improving functional performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: This study employed a two-group quasi-experimental design. A total of 52 patients with knee osteoarthritis from Lamduan Hospital, Surin Province, were enrolled and allocated into two groups: an experimental group receiving Kinesio Taping (KT) combined with Closed Kinematic Chain (CKC) exercise and a control group receiving CKC exercise alone. The intervention was conducted over a 4-week period. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional mobility was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and knee range of motion (ROM) was measured with a goniometer. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and independent t-test.

Results: Both groups showed significant reductions in pain, improvements in functional performance, and increases in knee range of motion after the intervention (p < 0.001). In the Kinesio Taping plus Closed Kinematic Chain (CKC) group, VAS scores decreased from 6.7 ± 1.1 to 2.9 ± 0.9, knee ROM increased from 108.5 ± 8.3° to 121.6 ± 7.6°, and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) time decreased from 13.5 ± 2.1 to 9.5 ± 1.8 seconds. In the CKC-only group, VAS scores decreased from 6.7 ± 1.2 to 3.9 ± 1.0, knee ROM increased from 107.9 ± 8.0° to 116.7 ± 8.1°, and TUG time decreased from 13.4 ± 2.3 to 10.9 ± 2.0 seconds. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in VAS, ROM, or TUG outcomes (p > 0.05), although the Kinesio Taping plus CKC group showed a trend toward better outcomes. Therefore, CKC exercise should be further developed as a rehabilitation program to reduce pain and improve functional mobility in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Conclusions: Both Closed Kinematic Chain (CKC) exercise alone and CKC exercise combined with Kinesio Taping significantly reduced pain, improved functional performance, and increased knee range of motion in patients with knee osteoarthritis. However, no significant differences were observed between CKC exercise combined with Kinesio Taping and CKC exercise alone.