Effects of Kinesiotape or Neuromuscular Taping on the Activation of the Transversus Abdominis Muscle. A Pilot Study

Kinesiotape (KT) or neuromuscular tape is an adhesive elastic bandage developed in Japan by Kenzo Kase in the 1970s. It became widely known during the 2008 Beijing Olympics when it was used by multiple professional athletes. It is a therapeutic tool used in physiotherapy for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and other conditions. The design of this tape aims to mimic the characteristics of the skin in weight, thickness, and flexibility. It is made of 100% cotton, which facilitates evaporation and quick drying, allowing it to be worn for up to 5 days.

Kase et al. proposed several benefits depending on the application method: providing positional stimulus through the skin, aligning fascial tissues, increasing subcutaneous space in an area of inflammation, assisting or limiting movement, and eliminating edema through the lymphatic channels. These benefits are attributed to analgesic effects, proprioceptive effects, increased blood and lymphatic flow, and muscle tone regulation.

There is controversy over the ability of this tape to induce muscle activation or inhibition. A previous study suggests that KT does not have a significant effect on muscle strength, while others advocate its use for muscle facilitation due to observed increases in strength and performance.

On the other hand, interest in spinal stability in the rehabilitation area, understood as the spine's ability to resist disturbances, has increased in recent decades. The "core" or stabilizing muscles include those of the back, abdomen, pelvic floor, diaphragm, hips, and glutes. They are responsible for transferring forces from the proximal to the distal areas of the body, thus considered protective elements in performing functional tasks (most activities require dynamic balance) and generating large torques by the limbs.

Core stability work is mainly applied in sports performance, spinal conditions, and lumbar pain associated with instability, pregnancy, and postpartum; although it could be extended to multiple dysfunctions. Regarding patients with lumbar pain, there is evidence of a high correlation with central muscle dysfunction, finding altered recruitment patterns and especially a delay in the activation of the transverse abdominal muscle during limb movement. During pregnancy, the abdominal wall is in a prolonged state of stretching, often weakening the structure and causing the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles, known as abdominal diastasis.