According to a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the International Journal of Surgery, the Kinesio Taping shows significant improvement in joint function and reduces pain among the knee OA patients. The data for the analysis were collected using an electronic search of Embase, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and the web of science until August 2018.

The RCTs involved knee OA patients who underwent Kinesio Taping and sham taping (control) and measures like McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scale, the range of motion and muscle strength, and visual analogue scale (VAS). The risk of bias associated with studies was evaluated through the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Further, the I2 statistic and standard Chi2 test were used to estimate the statistical heterogeneity of every RCT. Meta-analysis was done using the STATA statistical software 15.0.

A total of five RCTs comprising 308 patients were chosen. The patients who underwent Kinesio Taping showed a considerable difference in WOMAC, flexion range of motion, and VAS scores as compared to control groups. No significant difference was observed regarding quadriceps femoris muscle between the study and the control groups. However, outcomes of the meta-analysis should be interpreted with attention due to the poor quality of the currently available evidence.