The combined effect of Kinesio tape and exercise on risk reduction, pain relief, and hand function improvement in assembly workers of a manufacturing industry

Background and aims: Nowadays, one of the purposes of ergonomics is to identify the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders and provide solutions to reduce them. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using Kinesio tape and doing exercise during working hours for ۸ weeks on the reduction of risk and pain and improvement of hand function during daily activities. Methods: This clinical trial study was carried out on ۴۰ female workers employed in the manufacturing industry. The subjects were divided into three groups, including exercise-taping, exercise, and control, and performed an ۸-week rehabilitation program twice a week. To assess the upper limb function, the cognitive demand of the assigned task, and hand strength, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, Borg Scale, and a dynamometer were used, respectively. Results: The results of this study indicated a decrease in upper limb disability and increased grip strength in the tape plus exercise group compared to the control group (P<۰.۰۵). However, no significant change in the Borg scale was found in any of the three groups (P>۰.۰۵). Conclusion: It can be concluded that attending at least ۲ or ۳ exercise sessions per week and using Kinesio tape can be effective in reducing pain in the upper limb.