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The Effects of Exercise Training and Exercise Training plus Kinesio Taping on Cartilage and Synovial Markers and Pain in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Establishing prevention and therapeutic strategies for osteoarthritis (OA) is necessary to minimize functional disability and the impact of the disease on society. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise training and exercise training plus kinesio taping technique on cartilage and synovial markers and pain at rest and 20 minutes after the walking exercise in patients with knee OA. The study protocol was approved by Local Ethical Committee of Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University. Twenty‐two female patients aged between 38–60 years who were diagnosed with OA according to the criteria of the American Rheumatology Association participated in this study. The participants were divided into exercise training and exercise training plus kinesio taping groups randomly. The functional status of the patients was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA index (WOMAC). Pain assessment was performed on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Participants were invited to the laboratory twice before and after treatment. The blood samples were taken at rest and immediately after the 20‐min walking exercise before treatment and 6‐week after the application of exercise training or exercise training plus kinesio taping technique. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 and ‐3 concentrations were measured in these samples. In patients with knee OA, VAS and WOMAC scores significantly decreased after the exercise training or exercise training plus kinesio taping (P < 0.05). Plasma MMP‐1 and MMP‐3, and serum COMP concentrations significantly increased immediately after 20‐min of walking exercise both before and after treatment (P < 0.05). Resting serum COMP concentrations did not significantly differ after 6 weeks of exercise training when compared to the pre‐treatment (P > 0.05). However, resting serum COMP concentration decreased with exercise training plus kinesio taping technique (P < 0.05). Plasma MMP‐3 concentration decreased with both exercise training or exercise training plus kinesio taping technique (P < 0.05). However, plasma MMP‐1 concentrations did not differ between groups after treatment (P > 0.05). As a result, exercise training and exercise training plus kinesio taping reduced pain and improved functional capacity in patients with knee OA. Additionally, exercise training plus kinesio taping showed a positive effect on cartilage and synovial destruction, but only exercise training showed a positive effect on synovial destruction.