Kinesio Taping® of the metacarpophalangeal joints and its effect on pain and hand function in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

The sample was small and was taken from retirement homes, so it does not represent all people with rheumatoid arthritis. Participants were assigned by convenience, not randomisation, so baseline differences between the groups cannot be ruled out. The analysis did not use repeated measures analysis of variance because the sample size was inadequate. The tape was applied only over the MCP joints, not over the forearm extensor muscles, and assessments were not made within the half an hour to one-and-a-half hours period when tape effects on grip strength may be greatest. The study did not combine Kinesio Taping with exercise, so it cannot show what tape plus exercise would do. The groups received separate interventions, so the study compared Kinesio Taping alone with joint protection alone, not the combined effect.

Do not conclude that Kinesio Taping improves hand function. The tape group did not show significant improvement in grip strength or the overall Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire score, and the study was non-randomised.