Effects of taping on wrist extensor force and joint position reproduction sense of subjects with and without lateral epicondylitis

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of taping on wrist extensor force reproduction (FR) and wrist joint position reproduction (JPR) sense in subjects with and without lateral epicondylitis. [Subjects] Thirty workers in an automobile-parts manufacturing company participated: fifteen workers who had experienced pain with lateral epicondylitis and fifteen workers who had no history of lateral epicondylitis. [Methods] Taping was applied on the proximal forearm, starting from the medial, and tracking laterally. This was repeated two or three times.The FR error and JPR error of both groups (with and without lateral epicondylitis) were measured with and without taping. [Results] Without taping, the FR and JPR errors of the lateral epicondylitis group were significantly higher than those of the without lateral epicondylitis group.With taping, the FR error of the lateral epicondylitis group was significantly decreased from 1.24 kg to 0.49 kg. With taping, the JPR error of the lateral epicondylitis group was significantly decreased from 3.31 to 2.13 degrees. [Conclusion] The lateral epicondylitis group had significantly higher FR and JPR errors. Taping significantly improved force reproduction and joint position reproduction error.