Publications
The Protective Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Functional Manipulation Combined with Kinesiology Tape Against Calf Muscle Fatigue: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chia-Hung Tien 1, Pei-Chen Chuang 2, Bo-Chi Hsu 3, 4, Tsung-Cheng Chen 5, 6, Lun-Chien Lo 3, 4, Hen-Hong Chang 4, 7, Han-Kuei Wu 8, 9, 10
Affiliations:
- Dexin Chinese Medicine Clinic, Taichung city, Taiwan
- Cheng-En He-Wei Chinese Medicine Clinic, Tainan city, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Center for Traditional Medicine, Landseed International Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, and Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kuang Tien General Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine and Drug Development, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, Taiwan
- Department of Health Business Administration, HungKuang University, Taichung City, Taiwan
Journal: Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine - February 2026, Ahead of Print
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Field & Applications:
- Medical
- Sport
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Treatment evaluation
- Warm-up / Recovery
- Balance / Postural control
- Injury prevention
- Musculoskeletal health
Background: Lower extremity stability is closely related to sports injuries and muscle fatigue, with the calf complex playing a crucial role.
Primary study objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of manipulation using traditional Chinese medicine functional manipulation (TCMFM) and maintaining it through the application of kinesiology tape (KT).
Study design: Forty-five participants were recruited and randomized to two groups using a crossover design.
Setting: All research in this study was conducted at the same university. In this randomized crossover trial, participants received either TCMFM with KT (TCMFM-KT) or KT alone, separated by a washout period to minimize carryover effects.
Primary outcome measures: Eight positions on the lower limbs were measured using MyotonPRO® to assess soft tissue changes, and the feeling of discomfort was recorded using a visual analog scale.
Results: TCMFM facilitates the redistribution of mechanical load from the calf muscle to adjacent or synergistic muscle groups, thereby mitigating localized strain. The variation in muscle tone (∆F%), defined as the proportion of muscle tone at a given measurement point compared with the baseline value (day 1, before intervention), was higher in the TCMFM-KT than in the KT session at the lateral leg from day 1 to day 3. The ∆F% at the anterior leg on day 2 and at the medial leg on day 7 were lower in the TCMFM-KT session than in the KT session. The VAS score in the KT session was higher on day 2 and day 3 than on day 1, whereas no significant change was observed in the TCMFM-KT session.
Conclusion: TCMFM has the potential to improve overall muscle activation and coordination in the lower limbs, reducing the impact of muscle fatigue.
Keywords: functional manipulation, kinesiology taping, muscle fatigue, traditional chinese medicine
TCMFM has a significant effect on the activation of muscles and the dispersion of fascia. The manipulation used for this study helps coordinate muscles on different sides of the leg and thigh. TCMFM also enhances more efficient functional control of muscle and improves movement stability during daily activities. Participants in the TCMFM-KT session felt less pain between day 2 and day 3.