ORIGINAL ARTICLE   Free

European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2019 October;55(5):551-7

DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.19.05684-3

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Effects of kinesio taping on hemiplegic hand in patients with upper limb post-stroke spasticity: a randomized controlled pilot study

Yu-Chi HUANG ^{1, 2}, Po-Cheng CHEN ^{1, 2}, Hui-Hsin TSO ^{1, 2}, Yu-Chien YANG ^{1, 2}, Tzai-Lun HO ^{1, 2}, Chau-Peng LEONG ^{1, 2} ✉

¹ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; ² Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke spasticity is a common complication in patients with stroke and a key contributor to impaired hand function after stroke.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of kinesio taping on managing spasticity of upper extremity and motor performance in patients with subacute stroke.
DESIGN: A randomized controlled pilot study.
SETTING: A hospital center.
POPULATION: Participants with stroke within six months.
METHODS: Thirty-one participants were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated into kinesio taping (KT) group or control group. In KT group, Kinesio Tape was applied as an add-on treatment over the dorsal side of the affected hand during the intervention. Both groups received regular rehabilitation 5 days a week for 3 weeks. The primary outcome was muscle spasticity measured by modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Secondary outcomes were functional performances of affected limb measured by using Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE), Brunnstrom stage, and the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF). Measures were taken before intervention, right after intervention (the third week) and two weeks later (the fifth week).
RESULTS: Within-group comparisons yielded significant differences in FMA-UE and Brunnstrom stages at the third and fifth week in the control group (P=0.003-0.019). In the KT group, significant differences were noted in FMA-UE, Brunnstrom stage, and MAS at the third and fifth week (P=0.001-0.035), and in the proximal part of FMA-UE between the third and fifth week (P=0.005). Between-group comparisons showed a significant difference in the distal part of FMA-UE at the fifth week (P=0.037).
CONCLUSIONS: Kinesio taping could provide some benefits in reducing spasticity and in improving motor performance on the affected hand in patients with subacute stroke.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Kinesio taping could be a choice for clinical practitioners to use for effectively managing post-stroke spasticity.

KEY WORDS: Stroke rehabilitation; Muscle spasticity; Athletic tape; Hemiplegia