Effects of Kinesio Taping in Subacute Stroke Patients
ConditionStroke Gait Rehabilitation
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age20-80
SponsorFooyin University
About this trial
A study was designed to investigate the effects of KT on gait ability, balance, and neuromuscular functions in subacute stroke patients with foot drop. The study aims to evaluate the immediate and short-term effects of KT on gait ability, balance, and neuromuscular function in subacute stroke patients with foot drop. A total of 60 participants will be recruited and randomly assigned to either a control group (conventional physical therapy) or an experimental group (receiving additional KT). Both groups will receive 30 minutes of daily physical therapy. The experimental group will undergo an initial assessment before KT application, which includes (1) activation of the dorsiflexor muscles, (2) reduction of plantar flexor spasticity, and (3) stabilization of the ankle in an everted position. After taping, a second assessment will be conducted immediately, and the tape will stay applied to patient's limb for two days, followed by a third assessment. The control group will be assessed only before the intervention and after two days. Primary outcome measures include gait ability (10-meter walk test, laboratory gait parameters, and joint angles and electromyographic activity during walking). Secondary outcomes include balance (Functional reach test, Timed Up and Go test, and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale) and neuromuscular function assessments (muscle strength, joint range of motion, spasticity, and proprioception). This project aims to establish and validate a clinically applicable and effective KT protocol as an adjunctive gait training method for subacute stroke patients with foot drop. By enhancing independent and safe walking, this intervention may facilitate the early return to normal daily activities for stroke survivors.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age between 20 and 80 years;
First unilateral stroke;
Stroke onset between at least 1 week and 1 year;
Ability to continuously walk 10 meters with or without assistive devices;
Disqualifiers
Other neurological disorders or unstable medical conditions;
Skin allergies that interfere with the use of tape;
Visual field defects;
Cognitive impairment, defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score < 24;
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
KT group
BehavioralReceiving additional KT
Conventional group
BehavioralConventional physical therapy
Treatment groups
60 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: KT groupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Control groupOther 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Gait ability - 10 meter walk test
The participant will be asked to walk at a comfortable speed along a 14-meter walkway. The examiner uses a stopwatch to record the time taken to walk the middle 10 meters, and then divides the distance (10 meters) by the time to calculate the walking speed.
Time frame
1. Baseline (prior to KT application, Day 1) 2. Immediately after KT application (Day 1) 3. 48 hours after KT application (Day 3)2
Gait ability - Speed (m/s)
The participant will be asked to walk at a comfortable speed along a 14-meter walkway. Speed (m/s) will be recorded using the commercially available portable gait analysis system (Gait Up).
Time frame
1. Baseline (prior to KT application, Day 1) 2. Immediately after KT application (Day 1) 3. 48 hours after KT application (Day 3)3
Gait ability - Cadence (steps/minute)
The participant will be asked to walk at a comfortable speed along a 14-meter walkway. Cadence (steps/minute) will be recorded using the commercially available portable gait analysis system (Gait Up).
Time frame
1. Baseline (prior to KT application, Day 1) 2. Immediately after KT application (Day 1) 3. 48 hours after KT application (Day 3)4
Gait ability - Stride length (m)
The participant will be asked to walk at a comfortable speed along a 14-meter walkway. Stride length (m) will be recorded using the commercially available portable gait analysis system (Gait Up).
Time frame
1. Baseline (prior to KT application, Day 1) 2. Immediately after KT application (Day 1) 3. 48 hours after KT application (Day 3)Secondary outcomes
1
Functional reach test
Participant is asked to stand by the wall without leaning against it, with hands clenched into fists and arms raised forward to shoulder height with the shoulder joints flexed at 90 degrees. The examiner records the position of the participant's third metacarpal bone as the starting point. Then, while keeping both arms raised, the participant is instructed to lean the body forward as far as possible. The examiner records the farthest position of the third metacarpal bone as the endpoint. The test result is determined by subtracting the starting point from the endpoint.
Time frame
1. Baseline (prior to KT application, Day 1) 2. Immediately after KT application (Day 1) 3. 48 hours after KT application (Day 3)2
Timed Up and Go test
In this test, a distance of three meters is marked on the floor, with a chair equipped with armrests and a backrest placed at one end. The participant is first asked to sit on the chair with their back against the backrest. When the examiner gives the start signal, the participant is required to rise from the chair, walk forward three meters at their usual walking speed to the marked line, turn around, walk back, and sit down on the chair again. The time taken from the moment the examiner gives the start signal until the participant has seated themselves back on the chair is recorded using a stopwatch.
Time frame
1. Baseline (prior to KT application, Day 1) 2. Immediately after KT application (Day 1) 3. 48 hours after KT application (Day 3)3
Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale
This scale is a questionnaire designed to assess the participant's self-confidence in maintaining balance and avoiding falls in 16 situations that may be encountered in the community. Each of the 16 items is scored starting from 0, where 0 indicates no confidence at all. Scores are given in increments of 10, up to a maximum of 100, with 100 representing complete confidence.
Time frame
1. Baseline (prior to KT application, Day 1) 2. Immediately after KT application (Day 1) 3. 48 hours after KT application (Day 3)4
Muscle strength
Muscle strength of the ankle dorsiflexors will be measured using a handheld dynamometer (MicroFET3; Hoggan Health Industries, Salt Lake City, UT, USA). The participant lies supine on a treatment table with both feet hanging over the edge. The dynamometer is positioned on the dorsal aspect of the metatarsophalangeal joints to assess dorsiflexor strength. During the test, the examiner holds the dynamometer stationary while the participant exerts maximal force against it. Each contraction is sustained for 5 seconds, repeated three times, with a 10-second rest interval between trials. The mean value of the peak force obtained across the three trials will be used for analysis.
Time frame
1. Baseline (prior to KT application, Day 1) 2. Immediately after KT application (Day 1) 3. 48 hours after KT application (Day 3)Locations
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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