Abstract: Objective  To investigate the shortterm clinical efficacy of Kinesio Taping on walking ability of patients with knee osteoarthritis.  Methods  A total of 42 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into  treatment group (group A) and  placebo group (group B), with 21 cases in each group. The health education was carried out among patients. Group A was treated with  Kinesio Taping, while group B was treated with placebo taping. All patients were treated for seven days.  After 3 days and 7 days of treatment,  Visual  Analogue  Scale (VAS), 10meter walking test (10MWT), Timed Up & Go Test (TUG) and the peak torque (PT) of quadriceps'  centripetal contractions (by isokinetic muscle strength measurement) were evaluated and compared between two groups.  The walking ability, pain and knee extensor strength of patients were also evaluated and the clinical efficacy was calculated. Results   In terms of VAS(walking state), 10MWT, TUG, and PT of quadriceps' centripetal contractions by isokinetic muscle strength measurement showed significant differences between two groups(P<0.05)．Compared with group  B, group  A  had more obvious differences and better improvement(P<0.05). In addition, the scores of VAS (walking state)  were significantly higher than those in the resting state. The VAS scores (walking state) after treatment in group A were significantly improved than before. Conclusion   Kinesio Taping can effectively relieve joint pain in walking state, enhance knee extension muscle strength and improve walking ability of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Key words: osteoarthritis, knee, walking, isokinetic muscle strength, treatment outcome