Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping On Balance In Patients With Stroke

The Long Term Effects Of Kinesio Taping On Balance In Patients With Stroke: A Single Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the long term effects of Kinesio taping applied on ankle and peroneal muscle in patients with stroke.

Stroke is a common neurological problem and is one of the major causes of disability and death (1,2). In stroke patients, the mortality rate is approximately 30%, and there is an increase in the morbidity rate after stroke occurrence. In addition, stroke is one of the main factors in increases in the burden of health care expenses during adulthood (3). There is a constant requirement for specific data about stroke rehabilitation methods for achieving evidence-based rehabilitation guidelines.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. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the long term effect of KT applied on ankle and peroneal muscle on both dynamic and static balance in patients with stroke.

Patients' information and contact will be obtained from neurologist and willing participant's gender, age and stroke onset data will be processed with a random number generator in order to form groups. Patients will divide into two groups as intervention and control with a normal distribution of gender, age and stroke onset.

Both group will receive conventional stroke rehabilitation. Intervention group will receive Kinesio taping and control group would not receive a sham taping due to the possible sensory intervention of sham taping even though applying it without any stretch. Outcomes will be recorded by physical therapist using SPSS and groups would not be specified with letter. Statistical analysis will be conducted by another researcher who does not aware of groups given numbers on SPSS.

Taping will be applied three times and will be reapplied one and two weeks later prior to first application for two weeks.

Control group would not receive any taping in order to prevent sham taping sensory stimulation effect.

Kinesio Tape apply to peroneal muscles in supine position starting from the peroneal muscle origin with using muscle activation technique by a certified KT1 and KT2 practitioner. Then ligament technique which will go through around ankle starting from medial and lateral metatarsophalangeal joints in order to improve ankle stability. Taping will be applied one week later and two weeks later prior to first application.

Any sham taping was not applied to the control group in order to prevent the sensory stimulant effect of taping. In order to achieve patients' blinding both groups participant will sign a same consent but control group will be called for taping a month later after study data collection completed.

BESTest contains 27 question under 6 subsections (biomechanical, stability limits, postural responses, anticipatory postural adjustments, sensory orientation, and dynamic balance during gait) all of which rates between 0 (unable) - 3 (normal function) points (22) was used to assess the dynamic and static balance during the activities. TUG was used to assess balance, mobility and walking ability of the patients before and after the procedure as a part of the BESTest. However, as a strong indicator of functional mobility we decided to analyze TUG results separately from the overall BESTest outcomes. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, after first application,one week later and 2 weeks later prior to first assessment.

FRT was used to assess the limits of stability by measuring the distance that a patient can reach forward without losing balance. The test was performed while patient standing on both feet next to a wall. A measurement tape fixed to the wall on the level of patients' acromion. Cut of score was taken as 25 cm. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, after first application,one week later and 2 weeks later prior to first assessment.

Tetrax balance system which focuses measuring static balance and postural sways with integrated 4 force plates for tracking weight difference on forefoot and hindfoot. Primary principal of this device is to measure the center of mass and postural sways by using 4 force plates. Assessment was performed while patients standing on the force plates eyes facing forward and without touching anything with their hands. Normal values were taken as 1.0 standard deviation below and 1.5 standard deviation above the mean scores. Higher result related to somato-sensory dysfunction. For weight distribution index it is expected to %25 of total body weight recorded on each plate. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, after first application,one week later and 2 weeks later prior to first assessment.

Index for measuring both motor and cognitive independency level of patients under total 18 questions. Scores vary from completely independent to completely dependent. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, after first application,one week later and 2 weeks later prior to first assessment.

Inclusion Criteria: Willing to participate Diagnosed with Stroke Mini-Mental State Test score equal or above 25 Modified Ashworth Scale Score lover then 3 Able to walk 10 meter independently Exclusion Criteria: Secondary neurological diseases Cognitive problems

After publication of article Tetrax balance scores, BESTest results and Timed Up and Go times can be shared with other researches with an excel data sheet. Researchers can contact corresponding researcher with his contact mail and request data.

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