Kinesiotaping and Constraint Induced Movement Therapy in Subacute Stroke

The Clinical Effect and Sonographic Findings of Kinesiotaping and Constraint Induced Movement Therapy in Upper Extremity Function and Spasticity in Patients With Subacute Stroke

In stroke patients, the most common neurological deficits were motor impairment, loss of somatosensation, abnormal muscle tone, and impaired fractionated movement at affected limbs. Therefore, the investigators try to facilitate upper extremity function and normalize the muscle tone to enlarge their capacity to perform daily activities and to improve life quality by modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) and Kinesiotaping (KT). The investigators will collect 90 subacute stroke patients with hemiplegia in this study. These 90 patients will be randomly divided into 3 groups. In KT group (n=30), the patients will perform Kinesiology taping for 5 days per week for 3 weeks. In mCIMT group (n=30), the patient will receive constraint the unaffected limb for 2 hours a day, 5 days a week for three weeks. In KT+mCIMT group, the KT and mCIMT interventions would be performed for 5 days a week in three weeks. All the patients in KT, CIMT and KT+mCIMT groups will receive 20-minute hand function training twice daily for 5 days per week for 3 weeks. Before intervention, immediately and 3 week later after intervention, all patients will receive the physical examinations including motor recovery stage (Brunnstrom stage), spasticity (modified Ashworth scale and Tardieu scale), and sensation. Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE), box and block test, Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF), and Wolf Motor Function Test for hand function, ADL and quality of life assessment and musculoskeletal sonography for affected forearms will be also evaluated in this study. The aims of this study are: To investigate the effect of Kinesiotaping and modified CIMT in improving upper extremity function and spasticity for subacute stroke patients with hemiplegia. To explore the role of sonoelastography and shear wave velocity in poststroke spasticity assessment.

the unaffected limb will be constraint for 2 hours a day, 5 days a week for three weeks. And they will receive sham taping on the affected limb.

the patients will perform Kinesiology taping for 5 days per week for 3 weeks, and while being taped, the modified Constraint Induced Movement Training would be also executed.

Kinesio tape would be applied over the extensor muscles of the affected hand for facilitating the extension of hand. We will apply the tape from the upper 1/3 length of dorsal side of the forearm and split the tape into five equal bars to the distal interphalangeal joint of each finger along the finger bones. This intervention would be executed for five days per week for three weeks.

A 2-hour time period would be arranged to constraint patient's unaffected hand by using a bandage by a therapist. During this two hours, patients would not be allowed to use this unaffected to do any activity, so that they will need to use the affected hand. The caregivers would also be educated to provide less help if it is not necessary. This intervention would be executed two hours a day for five days per week, for three weeks.

A short piece of kinesio tape would be cut into half and applied over the lateral side of the forearm from the lateral epicondyle till the half of the forearm. The tape would not cover the both the flexor and extensor muscle bellies.

a therapist will evaluate Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE) for each participant. In this assessment, participants would need to execute a series of movements, which involved proximal and distal part of upper limb. The higher the grade, the better the performance.

an experienced physiatrist will evaluate the findings on sonography, sonoelastography, and shear wave velocity (SWV). The participants will sit upright and put their upper extremities on the bed with elbow flexion in 90 degrees and the forearm full supination. The measured levels for evaluating FCR, FCU, and FDS muscles will be recorded at first time and use the same level at follow up for each patient. The SWV will be done in the longitudinal/transverse planes and be performed at the maximal cross-section area of the muscles and repeatedly measured for 7 times for each muscle. The sonoelastography will be applied in the longitudinal plane of the detected muscles at the same level of the SWV.

a therapist will measure spasticity of affected upper extremity at elbow and wrist joints (modified Ashworth scale). In this scale, muscle tone would be assessed by quick stretch of muscle belly. The scoring criteria are as follows. 0, no increase in muscle tone; 1, Slight increase in muscle tone; 2, More marked increase in muscle tone through most of the ROM; 3, considerable increase in muscle tone; 4, affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension.

a therapist will measure spasticity of affected upper extremity at elbow and wrist joints (modified Tardieu scale).

Stroke Impact Scale would be used to measure the independence of daily activities. It is a self-reported questionnaire. The contents involve various aspect of life. The high the grade, the more serious the life is affected.

Barthel Index would be used to measure the independence of daily activities. It is a form that contains different activities of daily living. The higher the outcome grades, the better the level of independence.

box and block test would be used to assess the grasping and release performance of the affected hand.

Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF) would be used to assess the hand function by executing various types of grasping.

Inclusion Criteria: The patients have a stroke with hemiplegia (duration is 3~12 months after stroke). Patients who are able to perform hand grasp. Patients who could slightly do fingers extension and minimal wrist extension. (ability of extension at least 10 degrees at the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints and 20 degrees at the wrist.) Exclusion Criteria: age is younger than 18 years or older than 80 years previous history of upper extremity tendon or neuromuscular injury any other systemic neuromuscular disease cognition or language impairment leading to communication difficulty allergy history when application of KT materials