The Effect of Inhibitory Kinesio Taping Application on Spasticity, Stretch Reflex and Motor Neuron Activity

The Effect of Inhibitory Kinesio Taping Application on Spasticity, Stretch Reflex and Motor Neuron Activity

The Effect of Inhibitory Kinesio Taping Application on Severity of Spasticity, Increased Stretch Reflex and Motor Neuron Activity: Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trials

The first aim of this study is whether the inhibitory kinesio taping application can reduce spasticity. The second aim of this study is to investigate whether the kinesio taping application have neuromodulatory activity on motor neuron and stretch reflex. Hypotheses of this study: unlike healthy cases, in patients with spastic hemiplegia Inhibitory kinesio taping application can reduced spasticity Inhibitory kinesio taping application can reduced motor neuron activity and stretch reflex

This study will include 78 spastic hemiplegic patient ( 39 controlled, 39 intervention group) Spasticity , Soleus Hmax/Mmax, Soleus T reflex, Soleus H reflex will be evaluated in this study. Inhibitory kinesio taping method will be used in intervention group for 64-66 hours. Y shaped kinesio tape will be applied on spastic gastrocsoleus muscle. Sham kinesio taping method will be used in controlled group for 64-66 hours. 2 pieces kinesio tape 2,5 cm width, 5 cm length will be applied on gastrocnemius medial and lateral head, 1 piece kinesio tape 5 cm width, 5 cm length will be applied on achilles tendon. Spasticity, Soleus Hmax/Mmax, Soleus T reflex and H reflex will be measured pre-application (T0), after-application ( in a few minutes) (T1), after 64-66 hours ( with band applied) (T2) and after band removed (T3). Spasticity in both groups will be evaluated with modified ashworth scale.

intervention group: inhibitory kinesio taping application in spastic hemiplegic patients controlled group: sham kinesio taping application in spastic hemiplegic patients

Inhibitory kinesio taping method will be used for intervention group. Y shaped, 34-40 cm length, 5 cm width, skin color kinesio tape will be applied on spastic gastrocsoleus muscle. The base of Y shaped tape will be strapped on calcaneus ( no stretch for first 5 cm) and the both legs of Y shaped tape will be strapped on gastrocnemius muscle medial and lateral head with 15% stretch.

Sham kinesio tape will be used for controlled group. 2,5 cm width, 5 cm length, skin color 2 pieces kinesio tape will be applied on medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle without stretch. 5 cm length, 5 cm width, skin color 1 piece kinesio tape will be applied on achilles tendon without stretch.

Kinesio tape is an elastic, adhesive, hypo-allergenic, latex-free tape. Kinesio taping method is rehabilitative taping technique. One of the purposes of this technique is to facilitate or inhibit the muscles.

Sham kinesio tape will be used for controlled group. 2,5 cm width, 5 cm length, skin color 2 pieces kinesio tape will be applied on medial and lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle without stretch. 5 cm length, 5 cm width, skin color 1 piece kinesio tape will be a

Muscle tone measure. Range 0 (No increase in muscle tone) to 4 (Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension)

Motor neuron activity will be determined by using the Hmax/Mmax rate. A higher rate indicates higher motor neuron activity.

The stretch reflex activity will be evaluated by using T-reflex amplitude. The unit of this variable is microvolts. A higher amplitude indicates higher stretch reflex activity.

Inclusion Criteria: Unilateral ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke First stroke attack Gastrocsoleus muscle spasticity ( Modified Ashworth Scale 1-3) Exclusion Criteria: Perform surgery from the related limb Skin problems, wounds and infections Allergy to the kinesio tape material Antispastic drug use Contracture in gastrocsoleus muscle or antagonists Peripheral nerve lesion in the lower extremity II.Motor neuron diseases

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