The effects of trunk kinesio taping on balance ability and gait function in stroke patients

Immediate effects of trunk Kinesio Taping® on functional parameters in the acute stage of patients with mild stroke: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Improving early trunk control, balance, and sitting activity following acute stroke is critical for functional prognosis.

PURPOSE

To compare the immediate efficacy of Kinesio Taping® (KT) application on anterior and posterior trunk muscles in terms of improving trunk control, balance, and sit-to-stand performance in the acute stage of stroke.

METHODS

Sixty-nine patients with acute mild stroke were allocated to the anterior KT group (AKT) (age = 65.95 ± 9.67; 12 females, 11 males; Modified Rankin Score = 3), posterior KT group (PKT) (age = 65.39 ± 10.39; 10 females, 13 males; Modified Rankin Score = 3), and control group (CG) (age = 65.34 ± 8.91; 11 females, 12 males; Modified Rankin Score = 2). Trunk control, balance, and sit-to-stand performance were assessed at the baseline and after 45 minutes and 48 hours post-KT. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

All outcome measures scores improved in all groups significantly after 48 hours (p < .001). A significant improvement after 45 minutes was only seen in trunk control compared to the CG (p < .001; d = 1.32 for AKT and p = .038; d = 0.75 for PKT). Trunk control, balance, and sit-to-stand performance improved in both AKT and PKT compared to the CG at 48 hours post-taping. Trunk control (p < .001; d = 0.26) and balance (p < .001; d = 0.72) results were in favor of the AKT, while sit-to-stand performance results did not make a difference between KT groups (p = .335; d = 0.47).

CONCLUSION

KT application on anterior or posterior trunk muscles was effective for improving trunk control, balance, and sit-to-stand performance in acute stage of stroke in the short term. KT application on anterior trunk muscles had the advantage of improving trunk control and balance.

Effectiveness of kinesio taping for chronic stroke patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Kinesio taping (KT) is an approach that has been used in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic stroke. The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of KT alone or combined with other interventions for patients with chronic stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The search was performed on CENTRAL, EMBASE, PEDro, and five other databases and two trial registries up to July 2022. We included randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of KT compared to control interventions. The primary outcomes were upper limb function and gait. We assessed the risk of bias in the included studies using the PEDro scale. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

We included 14 RCTs undertaken in six different countries. PEDro score ranged from 4 to 9 points. There is very-low certainty evidence that KT has no effect on gait, balance, and postural control. We found very-low certainty evidence of a slightly benefit when used in addition to other therapies for gait, balance and postural control, and pain intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study findings show KT does not have enough robust evidence for improving upper limb function, gait, balance and postural control, and pain intensity in chronic stroke patients.

Core stability-based balance training and kinesio taping for balance, trunk control, fear of falling and walking capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized single-blinded study

BACKGROUND

Trunk performance-based therapies are important in the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) rehabilitation process since they have been associated with balance, trunk performance, fall prevention, and walking capacity. Kinesio taping (KT) is a popular approach that has recently been used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular impairments. Therefore, the aim of this single-blind, randomized controlled study was to investigate the effects of KT combined trunk stabilization-based balance training on balance, trunk control, walking capacity, and fear of falling in patients with MS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty patients diagnosed with MS were randomly assigned to the KT group or the control group. The control group received core stability-based balance training and the KT group was treated with KT applied on global trunk muscles in addition to core stability-based balance training. Balance was measured with the Mini BESTest, trunk control with the Trunk Impairment Scale, fear of falling with the Falls Efficacy Scale and walking capacity with the 2-minute walk test.

RESULTS

Balance, trunk control, fear of falling, and walking capacity of all the patients improved after treatment (p < 0.05). No superiority was found between the groups in terms of treatment efficacy (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, core stability-based balance training was effective in patients with MS, and the addition of KT had no additional effect in terms of balance, trunk control, fear of falling, and walking capacity.

Effects of truncal taping on center of gravity sway: comparison of different trunk muscle masses

[Purpose] Taping is a therapeutic technique used to prevent and treat sporting injuries and other conditions. This study aimed to clarify how kinesio taping versus non-elastic taping of the trunk affects postural control. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-three healthy male participants were included in this study. Participants were assigned to low or high trunk skeletal muscle mass groups. Main outcomes of path length and area representing the center of gravity sway were measured using a Zebris FDM-S system in three conditions: control, kinesio taping, and non-elastic taping. Tapes were applied to the rectus abdominis, external oblique, and erector spinae muscles. The measured limb position was seated on a balance cushion. [Results] The area of the low trunk mass group differed significantly between kinesio and non-elastic taping. However, the path length of the low trunk mass group and path length and area of participants with high trunk mass did not differ significantly between groups. [Conclusion] This study's findings indicated that two types of taping methods affected the area of gravitational sway in healthy adult males with a low trunk muscle mass.

Kinesio taping techniques for ankle stabilisation in patients with stroke: a single-blinded randomised controlled study

Background/Aims

Ankle proprioception and neuromuscular feedback from this region provides the sensory input needed for balance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of repeated correction taping applied on the ankle and peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles on balance and gait in patients with stroke.

Methods

A total of 61 patients with stroke with a mean age of 62.25 ± 7.04 years were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (n=30) received 1 hour of rehabilitation, which took place during weekdays over the course of 2 weeks. The intervention group (n=31) received 1 hour of daily rehabilitation as well as having kinesio tape applied to their ankle. Both groups were assessed with the Balance Evaluating Systems Test, Timed Up and Go Test, Functional Reach Test, Tetrax Balance System and Barthel Index. Clinical assessments were performed at baseline, immediately after the first application, 1 week and 2 weeks later, following the first taping.

Results

There was a significant improvement in the Balance Evaluating Systems and Functional Reach Tests scores between the first and last measurements in favour of the intervention group (P<0.05). There were no significant changes between baseline and immediately after assessment for all measurements (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in Tetrax scores, Timed Up and Go Test and Barthel Index scores (P>0.05).

Conclusions

In this study, it was found that dynamic balance was improved by taping the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles, but the static balance did not change. One week of kinesio taping would be beneficial; however, prolonged use would not provide further improvement.

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

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of ankle non-elastic taping on balance and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke.

METHODS

Thirty patients (inpatients and outpatients) with stroke were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the non-elastic taping group (n = 15) and the placebo-taping group (n = 15). Patients in the non-elastic taping group received Endura sports taping for their ankle joint, and patients in the placebo-taping group received Endura fix tape for their ankle joint. The Balance System SD assessed balance, and the GAITRite system assessed gait ability. We recorded measurements before and after intervention.

RESULTS

The non-elastic taping group showed a significant improvement in static and dynamic standing balance (P ≤ .001) after intervention; in addition, this group showed significant increases in the velocity, cadence, step length, and stride length of gait (P ≤ .001) after intervention. However, the placebo-taping group showed no significant improvements in standing balance and gait ability after intervention (P >.05). Furthermore, significant differences in static and dynamic standing balance, cadence, and velocity were observed between the 2 groups after intervention (P ≤ .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that the application of ankle non-elastic taping is effective at improving balance and gait abilities in patients with stroke. Ankle non-elastic taping appears to be an effective method to facilitate active rehabilitation in patients with hemiplegia.

Effects of kinesiology taping on trunk function, balance, and mobility in stroke patients: a pilot feasibility study

[Purpose] This study aimed to explore whether trunk kinesiology taping (KT) can improve trunk function, mobility, and balance in post-stroke patients with hemiparesis. [Participants and Methods] We conducted a single-group pre-post design pilot feasibility study. Thirteen individuals with post-stroke hemiplegia were recruited for this study. All patients received therapeutic trunk KT on the skin, representing the direction of fibres of the trunk muscles underneath. We used the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and Trunk Control Test (TCT) to measure trunk function, Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) for balance, limits of stability (LOS) to evaluate balance, and the modified Rivermead mobility index (MRMI) to assess mobility in post-stroke patients. All measures were assessed before and immediately after the intervention. [Results] No adverse effects were found and all patients completed the trial. Compared to the baseline, TIS scores were significantly increased after KT, whereas no changes in TCT score were detected. The directional control of LOS was significantly improved, while no significant changes were seen in the other parameters of LOS, FMA-balance, and MRMI scores. [Conclusion] The results of this investigation show that trunk KT has immediate effects that improve certain trunk functional and balance parameters in stroke patients.

Effects of Kinesio tape application to trunk isokinetic strength in female participants

The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of KT on trunk strength with respect to different angular speeds when applied to the trunks of healthy women. Forty healthy female participants were randomly distributed into two groups: the placebo group (PG) in which placebo KT was applied and the experimental group (EG). Participants' trunk concentric flexion and extension muscle strength were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer in two different angular speeds (60°/s - 180°/s). In both PG and EG groups, there was no significant difference measured immediately after taping at the two angular speed values. In the measurements taken 48 h later, as regards PG trunk flexion, extension muscle strength increased significantly (p = 0.0001) at 60°/sc. angular speed while, for the EG only, the strength of trunk extension muscle increased significantly (p = 0.002). It was observed, that to ensure an increase in strength, waiting for a certain length of time was required. Lower angular speeds and short-term applied KT improved the strength of the trunk extension muscle.

The effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower-leg taping and treadmill training on mobility in patients with stroke

The elastic-taping method of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) concept is nonexistent. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the effect of treadmill training (TT) using PNF lower-leg taping (PNFLT) on walking and balance ability in patients with stroke. There were a total of 27 patients: a stroke allocated control group (n=13) and an experimental group (n=14). The control group performed the TT and the experimental group performed the TT using PNF taping five times a week for 6 weeks. Walking and balance ability were measured using the 6-min walk test (6MWT), the 10-m walking test (10MWT), and the timed up and go test (TUG). Before and after the intervention, a paired t-test was performed to compare different within-group differences. Independent t-tests were performed to compare different between-group differences. All statistical significance levels were set at α of 0.05. After intervention, 6MWT, 10MWT and TUG improved significantly in PNFLT-TT and TT group (P<0.01). After intervention, the PNFLT-TT group showed more effective changes that the TT group in 6MWT, 10MWT, and TUG (P<0.05 and <0.01) between PNFLT-TT and TT group. The intervention of PNFLT-TT was effective in improving walking and balance ability in patients with stroke. Basic elastic tape for the PNF concept and TT may be useful interventions as a program to improve walking and balance ability in patients with stroke.

[The application of kinesiotaping for the rehabilitation of the post-stroke patients]

This review of the scientific literature was designed to consider the prospects for the application of kinesiotaping for the rehabilitation of the post-stroke patients. The relevance of the work arises from the absence of a systemic analysis of the large number of investigations that have been carried out during the past two years. The objective of the present review article was to evaluate the influence of kinesiotaping on the health status of the post-stroke patients and the course of their rehabilitative treatment based on the results of analysis of the scientific reports published during the period from 2015 to 2017. The analysis has demonstrated that the method under consideration makes it possible to effectively reduce spasticity, increase the paretic limb power, improve the static and dynamic balance, and alleviate the pain syndrome by virtue of the ability to improve the articulation proprioception and to regulate the muscle tone. Such effects are known to promote the reduction of muscle tone asymmetry in the patients suffering from hemiparesis and articulation instability which in its turn improves the patients' gait and walking ability, hightens their living standards, and allows to tolerate enhanced physical exertion. Kinesiotaping actually improves the locomotor function in the post-stroke patients Taken together, the advantages of the approach in question give reason to recommend kinesiotaping for the wide application for the combined rehabilitative treatment of the post-stroke patients.

Evaluation of gait symmetry using a tri-axial accelerometer in stroke patients

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to confirm the intra-rater reliability and absolute reliability of Lissajous Index (LI) in evaluating the symmetry of trunk movement during gait in patients with stroke and to examine the relation between LI and body function in patients with stroke.

METHODS

Twenty-one healthy subjects (11 males and 10 females, age 63.3±2.0 yrs) and 45 patients with stroke (33 males and 12 females, age 58.7±13.4 yrs) were included in the study. The accelerometer was fixed to a belt at the level of the L3 spinous process. The 10-m walk test was performed twice to record definitive data on trunk acceleration. LI was calculated from trunk accelerations. We confirmed the intra-rater reliability and absolute reliability of LI in patients with stroke and we examined the relation between LI and body function in patients with stroke.

RESULTS

There was no fixed bias and proportional bias in the LI of patients with stroke. It was found that BBS significantly correlated with LI in stroke patients (p < 0.05, r = -0.413).

CONCLUSIONS

It was clear that LI during gait was effective at evaluating gait symmetry and balance. LI was indicated to be useful in evaluating gait in patients with stroke.

Exoskeleton-assisted gait training to improve gait in individuals with spinal cord injury: a pilot randomized study

Background

Robotic wearable exoskeletons have been utilized as a gait training device in persons with spinal cord injury. This pilot study investigated the feasibility of offering exoskeleton-assisted gait training (EGT) on gait in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) in preparation for a phase III RCT. The objective was to assess treatment reliability and potential efficacy of EGT and conventional physical therapy (CPT).

Methods

Forty-four individuals were screened, and 13 were eligible to participate in the study. Nine participants consented and were randomly assigned to receive either EGT or CPT with focus on gait. Subjects received EGT or CPT, five sessions a week (1 h/session daily) for 3 weeks. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and gait characteristics including stride and step length, cadence and stance, and swing phase durations were assessed at the pre- and immediate post- training. Mean difference estimates with 95% confidence intervals were used to analyze the differences.

Results

After training, improvement was observed in the 6MWT for the EGT group. The CPT group showed significant improvement in the TUG test. Both the EGT and the CPT groups showed significant increase in the right step length. EGT group also showed improvement in the stride length.

Conclusion

EGT could be applied to individuals with iSCI to facilitate gait recovery. The subjects were able to tolerate the treatment; however, exoskeleton size range may be a limiting factor in recruiting larger cohort of patients. Future studies with larger sample size are needed to investigate the effectiveness and efficacy of exoskeleton-assisted gait training as single gait training and combined with other gait training strategies.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.org, NCT03011099, retrospectively registered on January 3, 2017.