## 4 Discussion  
This study investigated the effect of KT on condylar volume in patients receiving TB therapy. The results indicated that KT had no statistically significant effect, but it did have a relative and slight increase on TB therapy. Figure 6: Distribution of right side initial and final condyle volumes (cm\({}^{3}\)). Figure 7: Distribution of left side initial and final condyle volumes (cm\({}^{3}\)). Most animal studies demonstrated that bringing the mandible forward increases the thickness of the hypertrophic cartilage of the condyle [28]. Recent clinical studies also showed that TB therapy increases the condylar volume [29]. Theoretically, the TB appliance moves the condylar head away from the glenoid fossa, which stretches the muscles and stimulates endochondral growth in the growing condylar cartilage [30]. This growth is stimulated by four masticatory muscles, the most powerful of which is the masseter muscle. KT, a current therapeutic approach with various effects on the muscles, is increasingly used in arthrology, oncology, internal medicine, and neurology. KT exerts its effects entirely through the skin on which it is applied. It lifts the skin and thus increases the interstitial space, which improves blood and lymph circulation [19]. Increased blood circulation and easier transportation of lymphatic fluids reduce inflammation, reduced pressure on nociceptors relieves pain, and a reduction in inflammation and pain increases the range of motion [31]. These changes result in increased physical strength [32]. In addition to these effects, KT provides a continuous sensory stimulus to the tissues, which corrects the joint alignment, improves muscle function, and strengthens the muscles [19]. Muscle function is an important factor in growth and development [33]. Muscles can alter bone shape, volume, and mineralization [33]. According to [PERSON], changes in functional matrices cause changes in the shape, size, and position of skeletal structures [14]. The regeneration ability of any bone tissue depends primarily on the presence of osteoporgenitor cells in the surrounding tissue and their ability to move to the relevant site and differentiate into osteoblasts [34]. The mechanism of activity of these cells is unclear but may involve several processes, such as the stimulation of angiogenesis, mitochondrial respiration, ATP synthesis, and collagen production [34]. Treatments that increase local blood flow can enhance the transportation of circulating nutrients, cells, oxygen, and inorganic salts to bone tissue [35]. For instance, a study showed that biostimulation through the skin surface increases the blood supply in the bone by 80% and oxygen by 15% [36]. Similarly, some studies reported the stimulation of condylar growth via laser and ultrasound through the skin surface, with or without a functional appliance [17; 18]. The present study hypothesized that the increased circulation caused by KT would positively affect cell number and metabolism [37], thus stimulating osteoblastic and chondoplastic activity. Moreover, KT leads to the controlled lifting of the skin and decreases interstitial resistance, which augments the mobility of muscle fibers [38]. By acting on the muscles, the tape reduces spasms and allows the muscles to undergo maximum contraction and relaxation, thus resulting in increased muscle strength [19]. Studies showed that strengthening the muscles increases the associated bone density and volume [39]. We experimented with KT on the joint area in combination with TB therapy with a view of supporting muscle function, increasing muscle activity and strength, improving circulation, and stimulating cellular activity, and we assessed the resulting change in condylar volume. Some authors argued that functional appliance therapy should be initiated before the pubertal growth spurt [40], while others have the opinion that it should be started during the pubertal period [41], and some reported that the ideal time for this therapy is during or just after the pubertal growth spurt [42].