Immediate Effects of Ankle Non-elastic Taping on Balance and Gait Ability in Patients With Chronic Stroke: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

The effects of Kinesio taping on static and dynamic balance in children with down syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

AIM

This study aimed to determine the effects of Kinesio tape applied to the plantar soles on static and dynamic balance in children with Down syndrome (DS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was carried out in children with DS. The participants were grouped as Kinesio Taping (KT) (n = 12, DS) and Sham Taping (ST) (n = 12, DS). The Functional Reach Test (FRT) was used to evaluate functional balance and the Fast-Timed Up and Go (FAST-TUG) test to evaluate functional balance and capacity. The Modified Clinical test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (MCTSIB) was used to evaluate static balance. For both groups, all the assessments were made three times: at baseline (T0), right after the taping application (T1), and 40-45 minutes later (T2).

RESULTS

Baseline FAST-TUG, FRT, and Eyes Open (EO) and Closed (EC) Sway velocity scores of the KT (medians- FAST-TUG:7.75 s, FRT:23.90 cm, EO: 0.70 deg/s, EC: 0.60 deg/s) and ST (medians-FAST-TUG:7.98 s, FRT:24 cm, EO: 0.85 deg/s, EC: 0.95 deg/s) groups were similar (p >0.05). Intragroup comparisons showed that FAST-TUG and FRT scores improved after the taping compared with T0 values in both KT (KT (FAST-TUG:7.75s-FRT:23.90cm)/KT1(FAST-TUG:7.55 s-FRT:28.25cm), KT(FAST-TUG:7.75s-FRT:23.90cm)/KT2(FAST-TUG:6.85s-FRT:27.50cm)) and ST groups (ST(FAST-TUG:7.98s-FRT:24cm)/ST1(FAST-TUG:7,95s-FRT:26.40cm), ST(FAST-TUG:7.98s-FRT:24cm)/ST2(FAST-TUG:7.26s-FRT:26.15cm)) (p < 0.05), while the sway velocity values were similar before and after the taping (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Taping on the plantar soles of children with DS may be affecting the immediate dynamic balance scores while it actually did not affect the static balance scores independent of the technique used. The interpretation of the results of this study should be made with caution. Further studies with long-term evaluations are needed.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Kinesio Taping Improves Range of Motion of Ankle Dorsiflexion and Balance Ability in Chronic Stroke Patients

This study aimed to determine the effect of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern Kinesio taping (KT) application on the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM) and balance ability in patients with chronic stroke. This crossover study included 18 patients with stroke. The subjects were randomly assigned to three interventions: barefoot, ankle KT (A-KT), and PNF-KT. The A-KT was applied to the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, and subtalar eversion. The PNF-KT was applied on the extensor hallucis, extensor digitorum, and TA muscles. DR-ROM was measured using the iSen™, a wearable sensor. Balance ability was assessed based on static balance, measured by the Biodex Balance System (BBS), and dynamic balance, measured by the timed up and go (TUG) test and dynamic gait index (DGI). Compared with the barefoot and A-KT interventions, PNF-KT showed significant improvements in the ankle DF-ROM and BBS scores, TUG, and DGI. PNF-KT, for functional muscle synergy, improved the ankle DF-ROM and balance ability in patients with chronic stroke. Therefore, the application of PNF-KT may be a feasible therapeutic method for improving ankle movement and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Additional research is recommended to identify the long-term effects of the PNF-KT.

Effect of Sit-to-Stand Training Combined with Taping on Spasticity, Strength, Gait Speed and Quality of Life in Patients with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Objectives: Spasticity is one of the factors that make it more difficult to control posture in stroke patients. Taping has been used to manage muscle stiffness in various musculoskeletal disorders. Recently, it has been used to decrease spasticity in stroke patients, but the effect of taping combined with therapeutic exercise is still unclear. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the sit-to-stand (STS) training combined with taping improves the ankle spasticity, muscle strength, gait speed, and quality of life in stroke patients. Material and Methods: The study recruited 40 stroke patients, who were randomly divided into two groups: the taping and STS training (TSTS) group (n = 20) and the STS group (n = 20). The subjects in the TSTS group underwent STS training with Kinesio taping on the tibialis anterior, calf and ankle joint, whereas the subjects in the STS group underwent only STS training. All participants underwent 30 sessions of STS training (30 minutes, 5 days per week for 6 weeks). The present study evaluated the spasticity of ankle plantar flexors by the mean of the composite spasticity score; the muscle strength and gait speed were evaluated using the handheld dynamometer and the 10-meter walk test, respectively, and the quality of life was assessed using the stroke-specific quality of life scale. Result: The TSTS group and the STS group showed significant improvements in spasticity, muscle strength, walking speed, and quality of life after the intervention (p < 0.05). The level of improvement in the TSTS group was significantly higher in spasticity, muscle strength, and walking speed compared to the STS group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that STS training is effective for decreasing spasticity in stroke patients and suggested that additional taping intervention further improved this effect. In addition, improvement of muscle strength and gait function was observed with a significant decrease of ankle spasticity.

The Effects of Taping Combined with Wrist Stabilization Exercise on Pain, Disability, and Quality of Life in Postpartum Women with Wrist Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of wrist stabilization exercise combined with taping on wrist pain, disability, and quality of life in postpartum women with wrist pain. Forty-five patients with wrist pain were recruited and randomly divided into three groups: wrist stabilization exercise + taping therapy (WSE + TT) group (n = 15), wrist stabilization exercise (WSE) group (n = 15), and control group (n = 15). The WSE + TT and WSE groups performed wrist stabilization exercises for 40 min (once a day, five times a week for eight weeks), and the control group performed passive range of motion (P-ROM) exercise for the same amount of time. Additionally, the WSE + TT group attached taping to the wrist and forearm during the training period. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain level of the wrist. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) were used to evaluate the degree of wrist disability and quality of life, respectively. The WSE + TT group showed a significant decrease in wrist pain and functional disability compared to two groups (p < 0.05). Significant improvement in the SF-36 score was observed in the WSE + TT and WSE groups compared to that in the control group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the WSE + TT and WSE groups in the SF-36. Our findings indicate that wrist stabilization exercise combined with taping is beneficial and effective in managing wrist pain and disability in postpartum women with wrist pain.