Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2026 Apr 20:1-14. doi: 10.1080/01942638.2026.2660349. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: This study aims to evaluate the immediate clinical effect of kinesiotaping in treatment of children with Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (LCPD).
METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 30 participants, ages 6 to 15, who were randomly assigned to either the kinesiotaping or sham taping group. All participants were assessed before and 30 min after the intervention. Primary outcomes included activity-related hip pain measured by a visual analogue scale, pain-limited goniometric range of motion of the affected hip, and maximal isometric force of gluteus medius muscle. Secondary outcomes encompassed functional performance (10-meter walking test and 10-step climbing test durations) and balance (one-leg stance and tandem walk test durations).
RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements in activity-related pain, pain-limited range of motion, maximal isometric force, tandem walking test, and 10-meter walking performance (p < 0.05). Improvement in the 10-step climbing test was observed only in the kinesiotaping group. However, no statistically significant between-group differences were detected for any outcome (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Kinesiotaping did not demonstrate superiority over sham taping in children with LCPD. The observed improvements are therefore likely attributable to placebo or nonspecific contextual effects rather than to the taping itself.
PMID:42007529 | DOI:10.1080/01942638.2026.2660349
