Original article / research
Short-term Effect of Kinesio Taping on Arterial Blood Gas and Oxygen Saturation in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomised Controlled Trial
YC22-YC26
Correspondence
Sweta D Kulkarni,
Professor, KLE College of Physiotherapy, Hubballi, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER), Belagavi-580028, Karnataka, India.
E-mail: dr.shweta07@gmail.com
Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated with impaired respiratory mechanics, postural abnormalities, and reduced oxygenation. A forward shoulder posture contributes to inefficient ventilation. Kinesio Taping (KT) has been proposed as a postural correction strategy to enhance respiratory efficiency in individuals with COPD.
Aim: To evaluate the short-term effect of KT on Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) parameters and Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) in individuals with COPD.
Materials and Methods: The present Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted at the Department of Physiotherapy and Department of Pulmonology, SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad, Karnataka, India, from September 2024 to August 2025 and included 40 participants aged 40-70 years with mild-to-moderate COPD. Participants were allocated to two groups using the concealed envelope method. Group A received KT along with conventional physiotherapy, whereas Group B received conventional physiotherapy alone. The intervention was administered over three to five days. The outcome measures included ABG parameters (Potential of Hydrogen (pH), Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and Bicarbonate (HCO3) and SpO2. Statistical analysis was performed using paired and independent t-tests and non-parametric tests, where appropriate. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: Significant improvement in SpO2 was observed in the experimental group (p<0.0001). No significant between-group differences were observed in the change scores of ABG parameters. (p>0.05)
Conclusion: KT, as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy, improved SpO2, while no significant treatment-related changes were observed in ABG parameters.