COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF FAN SHAPED AND I STRIP KINESIO TAPING ON PAIN, GRIP STRENGTH, AND METACARPOPHALANGEAL JOINT MOBILITY IN WOMEN WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the effects of I‑band and fan‑shaped Kinesio taping, in addition to conventional physiotherapy, on pain, grip strength, and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint mobility in women with RA.

Methods: A single‑blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 66 female patients aged 30–60 years diagnosed with RA. Participants were allocated into three groups: physiotherapy only (control), physiotherapy plus I‑band taping, and physiotherapy plus fan‑shaped taping. All groups received a standardized hand exercise program. Taping was applied for 5 days and repeated weekly for 2 weeks. Primary outcome was pain intensity measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Secondary outcomes included grip strength (digital dynamometer) and MCP joint flexion/extension (goniometer). Assessments were performed at baseline, day 5, and day 10.

Results: Fan- shaped Kinesio taping, when combined with conventional physiotherapy, produced superior reductions in pain, greater gains in grip strength, and improved MCP joint mobility compared with I‑band taping or physiotherapy alone. These benefits were clinically meaningful, well tolerated with no adverse effects, and suggest that fan- shaped taping may serve as a safe and effective adjunct in the rehabilitation of hand dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis.