Effect of Kinesiotape Technique on Wrist Among Chronic Stroke Patients

Effect of Wrist Flexors Inhibition in Comparison to Wrist Extensors Facilitation Through Kinesiotaping Technique in Chronic Hemiplegic Stroke Patients With Limited Wrist Extension

The aim of this randomized controlled is to assess the effect of kinesiotape technique upon wrist joint among the patients with chronic stroke. Patients are devided into groups, in group A kinesiotaping facilitation technique is applied on wrist extensor muscles while inhibition technique is applied on wrist flexor muscles and the result is the compared between the groups and within the group.

Stroke is a very common disease worldwide causing severe musculoskeletal disability due to which quality of life of patient compromises, patient becomes dependent of assistance in daily living activities and few becomes bed ridden. Stroke also causes death of the patient. Apart from musculoskeletal issues patient's cognitive abilities are also effected. It is tough to manage these patients as stroke varies in types and symptoms. Symptoms and severity depend upon type of stroke and factors like lifestyle, age and health issues. According to the symptoms different physiotherapy techniques and rehabilitation is used along with medical treatment and counseling of the patient. Kinesiotape also has the advantage that it can be worn 3-5 days due to which it's effects remains for long time as compare to other treatments which are given and has effect for a specific time for example a session of physical therapy including exercises is for an hour but this tape can be worn for days once applied. Randomized controlled trial was done, 24 patients were recruited according to inclusion exclusion criteria. Patients were further divided into two groups; group 1 was given muscular facilitation treatment for wrist extensors and group 2 was given sessions for muscle inhibition treatment for wrist flexors. 6 sessions were given, 1 session per week over the period of 6 weeks to each patient. Wrist range of motion for extension, flexion, ulnar and medial deviation was measured using goniometer before and after the 6 weeks. Manual muscle test for wrist extensors, modified ashworth scale and upper limb functional index scoring was done before and after sessions. Data was collected from a private clinic of PWD Rawalpindi. The statistical values of result showed no significant change in between both the groups, before and after treatment. But a significant improvement was about observed within the group analysis It can be concluded from this study that Kinesiotape is an effective treatment method both in inhibiting and facilitating muscular performance. Hence both treatments were equally effective. it helps in increasing range of motion and in reducing spasticity.

Stroke, Manual Muscle testing, Kinesiotape, Range of Motion, Upper Extremity Functional Index, Modified Ashworth Scale

Hyperactive muscle correction for wrist extensors: Kinesiotape was applied to facilitate wrist extensor muscles from proximal to distal with 15-35% tension in therapeutic zone and no tension at anchor and end.

Hypoactive muscle correction for wrist flexors: Wrist flexors muscles were inhibited by applying tape from distal to proximal with 15-25% tension in therapeutic zone and no tension at anchor and end.

Wrist extensors strength was measured as baseline before the start of intervention and was compared with the measurement after 6 weeks of application of kinesiotape.

Wrist ROM was measured using universal goniometer, baseline values for wrist flexion, extension, ulnar deviation and medial deviation was measured and then compared to the values measured after 6 weeks of intervention.

Wrist spasticity was measured through modified ashworth scale before the intervention and then was compared with the values taken after 6th week

Patient was asked to perform different activities as opening the door and combing hair, score was done according to the difficulty level faced by patients while performing the activities. Measurement was taken before first session and was compared with the values taken after 6 weeks of intervention

Inclusion Criteria: Age b/w 40 to 90 Limited ROM (wrist extension) Exclusion Criteria: Disoriented Who needs more then moderate support to achieve basic ADL and are bed bound Communication gap Allergic to Kinesiotaping after being positive to patch test

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