pISSN : 3058-6941 eISSN: 3058-695X
Open Access, Peer-reviewed
Yu-Sik Choi,Dong-Baek Son,Sang-Mi Jung,Woo-Nam Chang
https://dx.doi.org/10.17817/2021.06.04.1111652 Epub 7th July, 2021
Abstract
Purpose This study was conducted to identify the effect of Kinesio-taping on the paretic ankle for changes in Electromyography (EMG) activity, gait in Chronic Stroke Patients. Methods Sixteen patients were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 8), and the control group (n = 8). The flexible Kinesio-taping was attached on the skin of the study group patients. And inflexible taping was attached on the skin of control group patients. The tape was attached on the fibularis longus, fibularis tertius, extensor digitorum longus, and tibialis anterior muscle. The intervention was provided for five sessions per week for four weeks with each session lasting 30 minutes. EMG, the Time Up and Go Test (TUG), and the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) were used to measure changes in variables before and after the intervention. Results There were statistically significant differences before and after the intervention especially in the paretic tibialis anterior of the experimental group, who performed Kinesio-taping for the paretic ankle (p<.05). While other parts of the leg showed some increase or decrease, the differences were not significant (p>.05). A comparison of the groups showed a statistically significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in the paretic tibialis anterior (p<.05). In the TUG and 10MWT, the experimental group and the control group showed significant changes in variables before and after the intervention (p<.05). A comparison of the groups showed no statistically significant difference between the experimental group and the control group (p>.05). Conclusion Kinesio-taping on the paretic ankle for 4 weeks has an effect on muscle activity changes in the paretic tibialis anterior and improving gait speed for stroke patients.
Keywords
Ankle joint Electromyography Gait Kinesiotaping Stroke