Evaluation of kinesio taping applied to the equine thoracolumbar spine [electronic resource]: clinical response and mechanical nociceptive threshold

Original Research Article

Includes bibliographic reference

Kinesio taping (KT) is a technique extrapolated from human physiotherapy
consisting of the application of an elastic tape to the skin to trigger analgesic,
muscular, postural correction and circulatory effects. It is an easily applicable
technique that has been developed in the field of equine physiotherapy over
the last decade. The objective of this research is to evaluate the analge~ic effect
of KT applied to spinous processes of the horse measuring mechanical
nociceptive threshold (MNT). KT was applied on 5 spinous processes of 15
horses, in two different experiments, comprising KT with 50% tension (KTT) and
KT with no tension (KTNT). Measurements were taken before application of the
tape (MO), 60 minutes after (Ml) and 24 hours after, following its removal (M2).
Clinical assessment of sensitivity to palpation was conducted at MO and M2.
Outcomes obtained at MO were compared to those obtained at Ml and M2,
and between both tests (KTT-KTNT). A significant increase in the MNTs at Ml
was observed in both tests but not maintained following its removal 24 hours
later. Sensitivity to palpation decreased In practically all the spinous processes
in both tests. No significant changes were observed in the comparative analysis
between both tests. KT applied to spinous processes of the horse with and
without tension causes an increase in the MNTs 60 minutes after application.
This effect is not sustained following taping removal although there is a
clinically significant decrease of the sensitivity to palpation of the spinous
processes.
Keywords Back, Horse, Kinesio tape, Pressure algometry.

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