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The Effects of Rigid and Elastic Adhesive Tape on Pain in Musculoskeletal and Sports Conditions: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The Effects of Rigid and Elastic Adhesive Tape on Pain in Musculoskeletal and Sports Conditions: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Jemma E. Bosch, Mark Brown, Eloise Rieck, Roy T. H. Cheung and Maria Constantinou
JOSPT Open, Vol.3(4), pp.421-434
10/2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2519/josptopen.2025.0081
Appears in  Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract

athletic tape injury kinesiotape sport strapping taping
Objective: To determine the effect of rigid and elastic adhesive tape for improving pain in individuals with musculoskeletal and sports conditions immediately postapplication and in the very short term, short term, and medium term. Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Literature Search: Five electronic databases were searched: Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Embase from inception to December 2023. Study Selection Criteria: RCTs comparing rigid to elastic adhesive tape or to no tape, on pain in musculoskeletal and sports conditions. Data Synthesis: Where data were available, a meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. The mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. The 11-point PEDro scale was used to assess methodological quality of the RCTs. Results: Twenty-eight RCTs were included totaling 1565 participants. Meta-analysis showed that elastic tape was more effective for reducing pain compared to no tape immediately postapplication ( P<.001; MD = −9.95; 95% CI: −17.45, −2.45) and in the very short term ( P<.001; MD = −9.37; 95% CI: −13.57, −5.17). Rigid tape was more effective than no tape in reducing pain in the medium term ( P<.001; MD = −25.40; 95% CI: −31.89, −18.90). While these findings were statistically significant, only rigid tape achieved a clinically meaningful reduction in pain (>20 mm on the visual analog scale). The mean PEDro score of included studies was 5.6 ± 1.5, indicating fair to good methodological quality. Conclusion: Rigid tape may provide a clinically meaningful reduction in pain, whereas elastic tape may offer only small, nonclinically significant effects. Results should be interpreted with caution due to high study heterogeneity.

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