Peer-reviewed research
Kinesio taping can relieve symptoms and enhance functions in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Z. Li et al., Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2025 · DOI 10.1080/09593985.2025.2463902
Read the originalRead on October 17, 2026
- What it is
- A systematic review and meta-analysis from Beijing Sport University, registered in PROSPERO, that pooled 14 studies with 637 participants comparing kinesio taping with control, orthoses or other treatment for mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
- How much weight it carries
- Peer-reviewed and registered in advance. The authors rate the evidence as low to moderate quality, and the trials are small and short, so the pain result is a tentative signal rather than a settled effect.
Facts taken from this source
- In a 2025 meta-analysis of 14 studies with 637 participants, kinesio taping significantly improved long-term pain relief compared with control.
“Kinesio Taping (KT) significantly improved long-term pain relief compared to control” (Results)
- The 2025 meta-analysis of 14 trials concludes that the evidence is low to moderate quality, and that kinesio taping may improve long-term pain relief and function in mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
“Low to moderate quality evidence indicates that KT may effectively improve long-term pain relief and functional outcomes in patients with CTS” (Conclusion)
- In the 2025 meta-analysis, kinesio taping gave similar outcomes to orthoses for mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, and adding taping to orthoses gave more short-term pain relief than orthoses alone.
“KT showed similar therapeutic outcomes to orthoses, and combining KT with orthoses provided greater short-term pain relief than orthoses alone” (Results)