ORIGINAL ARTICLE   Free access

European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2019 April;55(2):156-61

DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.18.05300-5

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Immediate effect of hip taping on balance and walking ability in cane-dependent ambulators with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Jyue-Liang CHEN ¹, Ray-Yau WANG ², Chun-Shou LEE ³, Yun-Ju CHEN ⁴, Yea-Ru YANG ^{2, 5} ✉

¹ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City, Taiwan; ² Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; ³ Section of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Renai Branch of Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; ⁴ Section of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongxing Branch of Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; ⁵ Preventive Medicine Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that cane-dependent post-stroke ambulators have poor balance and gait performance. Adhesive taping on the hip may be used as a therapeutic modality for improving range of motion and muscle activity in individuals with stroke.
AIM: The objective of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of the hip extensor and abductor taping on balance and walking ability in cane-dependent ambulators with chronic stroke.
DESIGN: This study was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.
SETTING: Outpatients from a hospital rehabilitation department.
POPULATION: Twenty-eight cane-dependent ambulators with chronic stroke were recruited.
METHODS: Participants were randomized into either the control group with sham tape (N.=14) or experimental group with non-elastic tape (N.=14). The Berg Balance Scale, gait speed, 6-minute walk test, and Fall Efficacy Scale were measured with and without taping.
RESULTS: After taping, participants in the experimental group showed significant improvement in the Berg Balance Scale, gait speed, and 6-minute walk test. Furthermore, experimental group showed significant improvement in the Berg Balance Scale and 6-minute walk test compared with sham taping control group.
CONCLUSIONS: Non-elastic tape could immediately improve balance, gait speed, and endurance in cane-dependent ambulators with chronic stroke.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Non-elastic tape may be a useful adjunct to current rehabilitation strategies for individuals with chronic stroke.

KEY WORDS: Athletic tape; Postural balance; Physical endurance; Cardiovascular diseases; Rehabilitation