Quality of information on the web about Kinesio tape

NewsBot · Oct 21, 2014

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
KINESIOLOGY TAPING AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB: A QUALITY AND CONTENT ANALYSIS OF INTERNET‐BASED INFORMATION
Bryan G. Beutel, MD and Dennis A. Cardone, DO
Int J Sports Phys Ther. Oct 2014; 9(5): 665–673.

Background:
Due to limited regulation of websites, the quality and content of online health‐related information has been questioned as prior studies have shown that websites often misrepresent orthopaedic conditions and treatments. Kinesio tape has gained popularity among athletes and the general public despite limited evidence supporting its efficacy. The primary objective of this study was to assess the quality and content of Internet‐based information on Kinesio taping.

Methods:
An Internet search using the terms “Kinesio tape” and “kinesiology tape” was performed using the Google search engine. Websites returned within the first two pages of results, as well as hyperlinks embedded within these sites, were included in the study. These sites were subsequently classified by type. The quality of the website was determined by the Health On the Net (HON) score, an objective metric based upon recommendations from the United Nations for the ethical representation of health information. A content analysis was performed by noting specific misleading versus balanced features in each website.

Results:
A total of 31 unique websites were identified. The majority of the websites (71%) were commercial. Out of a total possible 16 points, the mean HON score among the websites was 8.9 points (SD 2.2 points). The number of misleading features was significantly higher than the balanced features (p < 0.001). Fifty‐eight percent of sites used anecdotal testimonials to promote the product. Only small percentages of websites discussed complications, alternatives, or provided accurate medical outcomes. Overall, commercial sites had a greater number of misleading features compared to non‐commercial sites (p = 0.01).

Conclusions:
Websites discussing Kinesio tape are predominantly of poor quality and present misleading, imbalanced information. It is of ever‐increasing importance that healthcare providers work to ensure that reliable, balanced, and accurate information be available to Internet users.
Click to expand...

Admin2 · Dec 4, 2014

Related Threads:
Other thread tagged with kinesio taping
Does Kinesio taping work?
Kinesio taping for chronic venous insufficiency
Kinesio Taping for Bunions
Kinesio tape for medial tibial stress syndrome
Kinesio Tape or Low Dye Tape for Plantar Fasciitis

Internet information quality for ten common foot and ankle diagnoses
Accuracy of Patient Information in You Tube Videos

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Admin2 Administrator Staff Member

Quality of online information about children's footwear measurement

Internet information quality for ten common foot and ankle diagnoses

Hallux limtus and quality of life

Quality of life after fracture-related infection of the foot

Swefoot – the Swedish national quality register for foot and ankle surgery

Quality of MIS vs Open Joint Preparations of the Foot and Ankle

Foot and ankle surgery from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

Share This Page