Effect of Kinesio Taping on Arm Function in Stroke Patients in the Early Stage of Rehabilitation

Abstract

Substantiation of the study. There is a lack of literature about the efficiency of Kinesio Taping methods which improve recovery of arm functions for patients after stroke in the early stage of rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Kinesio Taping on the recovery of the affected arm function in stroke patients during the early stage of rehabilitation. Subjects and methods. Forty stroke patients were divided into two groups. Inclusion criteria for the subjects were: age under 75 years, affected arm muscle strength – at least 2 points, and cognitive function – at least 11 points according Mini mental state exam (moderate cognitive impairment). The patients of the frst group had only exercise therapy, while to the patients of the second group exercised together with the applied Kinesio Taping method. Patients’ affected hand strength was measured using a dynamometer, arm function was assessed by Wolf Motor test, a modifed Motor Assessment Scale and modifed Fugl-Meyer motor function impairment test. Results. After physiotherapy procedures, the evaluation of arm function with Wolf and Fugl-Meyer tests showed signifcant improvement in the both groups: in the frst group of patients, Wolf test results indicated the change and the estimated values were 49.4 ± 1.3 points, in the second group – 23.1 ± 2.0 points, Fugl-Meyer test – 31.3 ± 0.3 and 21.9 ± 0 6 points (p < 0.05). In the frst group of patients, hand muscle strength improved signifcantly by 26.2 ± 2.2 kg, in the second group – 12.2 ± 1.8 kg (p < 0.05). In the frst group of patients, shoulder motion recovery by JVS improved by 3.0 ± 0.1 points, in the second group – 2.1 ± 0.1 points, hand movements recovery – by 2.6 ± 0.1 and 1.7 ± 0.1 points, complex hand movements – by 2.8 ± 0.1 and 1.4 ± 0.1 points (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The effect of exercises with Kinesio Taping on the affected arm function in stroke patients was signifcantly more pronounced (p < 0.05) than the effect of exercises only.

Keywords: stroke, arm function, Kinesio Taping, physiotherapy