Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Kinesio Taping Improves Range of Motion of Ankle Dorsiflexion and Balance Ability in Chronic Stroke Patients

The Effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Pattern Kinesio Taping on Arm Swing, Balance, and Gait Parameters among Chronic Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern kinesio taping on arm swing, balance, and gait parameters among chronic stroke patients. (2) Methods: Twenty-eight participants were randomized into proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern kinesio taping during gait training (n = 14) and gait training (n = 14) groups. The proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern kinesio taping during gait training group employed proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern kinesio taping during 15 min treadmill-based gait training five times a week for four weeks, while the gait training group underwent the same gait training without proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern kinesio taping. Arm swing angle was measured using the Image J program, static balance was assessed with an AMTI force plate, dynamic balance was evaluated through the Timed Up and Go test, and gait parameters were recorded using the GAITRite system and the Dynamic Gait Index. (3) Results: After 4 weeks of training, the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern kinesio taping during gait training group exhibited significant improvements in all variables compared to the baseline (p < 0.05), whereas the gait training group did not show statistically significant differences in any variables (p > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern kinesio taping during gait training in enhancing arm swing angle, balance, and gait parameters.

Validity of IMU measurements on running kinematics in non-rearfoot strike runners across different speeds

This study aims to determine the validity of the lower extremity joint kinematics measured by inertial measurement units (IMUs) in non-rearfoot strike pattern (NRFS) runners across different speeds. Fifteen NRFS runners completed three 2-min running tests on a treadmill in random order at 8, 10 and 12 km/h, whilst data were synchronously collected using the IMU system and an optical motion capture system. Before the offset was corrected, the validity of the knee angle waveform was higher than that of the hip and ankle; after the offset was corrected, the validity increased in all three joints. The correlation between the touchdown angles in the sagittal plane measured by the two systems was relatively high after the offset was corrected. The running speed influenced the offset-corrected measurements, with higher error values at higher speeds. The IMU system was able to provide measurements of running kinematics in the sagittal plane of NRFS runners at different running speeds but was unable to reliably measure motion in the frontal and horizontal planes. Future research should analyse the 3D gait of NRFS runners under a larger range of speed conditions to provide evidentiary support for the use of IMUs in running analysis outside the laboratory.

Immediate effects of trunk Kinesio Taping® on functional parameters in the acute stage of patients with mild stroke: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Improving early trunk control, balance, and sitting activity following acute stroke is critical for functional prognosis.

PURPOSE

To compare the immediate efficacy of Kinesio Taping® (KT) application on anterior and posterior trunk muscles in terms of improving trunk control, balance, and sit-to-stand performance in the acute stage of stroke.

METHODS

Sixty-nine patients with acute mild stroke were allocated to the anterior KT group (AKT) (age = 65.95 ± 9.67; 12 females, 11 males; Modified Rankin Score = 3), posterior KT group (PKT) (age = 65.39 ± 10.39; 10 females, 13 males; Modified Rankin Score = 3), and control group (CG) (age = 65.34 ± 8.91; 11 females, 12 males; Modified Rankin Score = 2). Trunk control, balance, and sit-to-stand performance were assessed at the baseline and after 45 minutes and 48 hours post-KT. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

All outcome measures scores improved in all groups significantly after 48 hours (p < .001). A significant improvement after 45 minutes was only seen in trunk control compared to the CG (p < .001; d = 1.32 for AKT and p = .038; d = 0.75 for PKT). Trunk control, balance, and sit-to-stand performance improved in both AKT and PKT compared to the CG at 48 hours post-taping. Trunk control (p < .001; d = 0.26) and balance (p < .001; d = 0.72) results were in favor of the AKT, while sit-to-stand performance results did not make a difference between KT groups (p = .335; d = 0.47).

CONCLUSION

KT application on anterior or posterior trunk muscles was effective for improving trunk control, balance, and sit-to-stand performance in acute stage of stroke in the short term. KT application on anterior trunk muscles had the advantage of improving trunk control and balance.

Effects of kinesio taping therapy on gait and surface electromyography in stroke patients with hemiplegia

Background: The application of Kinesio Taping (KT) on the lower extremity of stroke patients can improve the quality of somatosensory information by activating lower extremity muscles involved in postural control. Gait analysis and surface electromyography (SEMG) are valuable in assessing the motor ability of the lower extremities.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of KT therapy on gait and SEMG in stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were included in the study. KT was applied to the lower extremities of the hemiplegic side. Quantitative gait parameters were measured by a gait analysis system (IDEEA, by MiniSun, United States) and activation of the lower extremity muscles were evaluated by the SEMG (Trigno™ Wireless Systems, Delsys Inc., United States) before and after taping. Step length, stride length, pulling acceleration, swing power, ground impact, and energy expenditure were used to evaluate when patients walk as usual. SEMG signals were collected from the anterior bilateral tibialis (TA) and the lateral gastrocnemius (LG). The root mean square (RMS) value was used to assess muscle activity. SEMG signals were examined before and after KT treatment in three different locomotor conditions of the patients: walking at a natural speed, walking with a weight of 5 kg, dual-tasking walking (walking + calculation task) while carrying a weight of 5 kg. The calculation task was to ask the patients to calculate the result of subtracting 7 from 100 and continuing to subtract 7 from the resulting numbers. Comparisons between two normally distributed samples (before and after KT treatment) were evaluated using the two-tailed, paired Student’s t-test.

Results: Stride length (0.89 ± 0.19 vs. 0.96 ± 0.23; p = 0.029), pulling acceleration (0.40 ± 0.21 vs. 1.11 ± 0.74; p = 0.005), and swing power (0.42 ± 0.24 vs. 1.14 ± 0.72; p = 0.004) improved in the hemiplegia side after KT treatment. The RMS value of TA SEMG signals in the limbs on the hemiplegia side decreased after KT treatment during dual-tasking walking carrying a weight of 5 kg (3.65 ± 1.31 vs. 2.93 ± 0.95; p = 0.030).

Conclusion: KT treatment is effective in altering gait and SEMG characteristics in stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Effects of Extensor Digitorum Longus and Tibialis Anterior Taping on Balance and Gait Performance in Patients Post Stroke

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of extensor digitorum longus taping (EDLT) and tibialis anterior taping (TAT) on balance and gait performance in patients post-stroke. The study included 40 stroke patients randomly assigned to two intervention groups: the EDLT group and the TAT group. Therapeutic taping was applied to the extensor digitorum in the EDLT group and applied to the tibialis anterior in the TAT group. Balance variables were measured using BioRescue equipment, and gait variables were measured using G-walk equipment. Balance and gait variables were significantly increased in both the EDLT and TAT groups after the intervention, but there were no significant differences between the two groups. Therefore, we concluded that eversion (EDLT) or inversion (TAT) through taping did not affect the outcome. Only dorsiflexion affects gait speed increase post-stroke. As a result of this study, extensor digitorum longus taping and tibialis anterior taping were taping methods with no difference in the improvement of balance ability and gait performance.