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Shih J-H1, Wang F-Y1, Chu S-Y1, Cheng F-Y2
1Tao-Yuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Rehabilitation, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, 2Mackay Medical College, Institute of Long-Term Care, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Background: Over 30% of stroke patients suffered from walking and balance dysfunctions. Drop and inverted foot may be two common factors lead to these disabilities. In clinical, we often use ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) to correct the ankle abnormal movement. However, there are still some limitations, such as restricted ankle normal range of motion and increased skin pressure. Kinesio taping (KT) has been proved that it can relieve pain, promote normal ankle movement, and improve functional performance.
Purpose: Thus the purpose of this study was to compare the intermediate effects of KT versus AFO on walking and balance in individuals with stroke.
Methods: Twenty-three patients with stroke were recruited and randomly assigned to the KT group or AFO group. Patients in the KT group received KT over their ankles to correct drop and inverted foot while the patients in the AFO group wear AFO. The outcome included Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed up and go test (TUG), and 6 minutes walking test (6MWT). All measurements were evaluated at baseline and after the interventions.
Results: The results (KT group: n=11; AFO group: n= 12) showed that both the KT and AFO groups had improved 6MWT (p=0.001) after the interventions. Furthermore, KT group had significantly improved BBS total score (p=0.002), and AFO group had significantly decreased the completed time of TUG (p=0.005). However, there was no significant group difference between two groups.
Conclusion(s): This study showed that walking and balance performance can be improved with KT and AFO interventions in patients with stroke.
Implications: KT may be the alternative therapy to improve walking and balance via correcting the drop and inverted foot.
Keywords: Kinesio taping, Ankle-foot orthoses, Stroke
Funding acknowledgements: Taoyuan General Hospital (Grant number: PTH10650).
Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 107-2314-B-715 -001)
Purpose: Thus the purpose of this study was to compare the intermediate effects of KT versus AFO on walking and balance in individuals with stroke.
Methods: Twenty-three patients with stroke were recruited and randomly assigned to the KT group or AFO group. Patients in the KT group received KT over their ankles to correct drop and inverted foot while the patients in the AFO group wear AFO. The outcome included Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed up and go test (TUG), and 6 minutes walking test (6MWT). All measurements were evaluated at baseline and after the interventions.
Results: The results (KT group: n=11; AFO group: n= 12) showed that both the KT and AFO groups had improved 6MWT (p=0.001) after the interventions. Furthermore, KT group had significantly improved BBS total score (p=0.002), and AFO group had significantly decreased the completed time of TUG (p=0.005). However, there was no significant group difference between two groups.
Conclusion(s): This study showed that walking and balance performance can be improved with KT and AFO interventions in patients with stroke.
Implications: KT may be the alternative therapy to improve walking and balance via correcting the drop and inverted foot.
Keywords: Kinesio taping, Ankle-foot orthoses, Stroke
Funding acknowledgements: Taoyuan General Hospital (Grant number: PTH10650).
Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 107-2314-B-715 -001)
Topic: Neurology: stroke
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Ministry of Health and Welfare
Ethics committee: Taoyuan General Hospital
Ethics number: TYGH105047
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
