[Abstract] Immediate effects of ankle eversion taping on gait ability of chronic stroke patients.

 

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of this study is to assess the immediate effects of applying ankle eversion taping using kinesiology tape in patients with foot drop after stroke.

DESIGN:

Randomized cross-over trial.

METHOD:

In this study, fifteen subjects with stroke underwent three interventions in a random order. Subjects were randomly initially assigned to an ankle balance taping, placebo taping, and no taping each group. The ankle eversion taping was used for mechanical correction. Ankle eversion taping is involved in ankle dorsiflexion and eversion. The placebo taping began from both malleolus and was applied up to the middle point of the lower limb. Gait ability was assessed by the GAITRite System. The measured gait variables are gait velocity, step length, stride length, H-H base support, and cadence. All of the measurements were performed immediately after intervention.

RESULTS:

Our results showed gait function in chronic stroke patients was improved after ankle eversion taping. Velocity, step length, stride length and cadence under the ankle eversion taping conditions significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the placebo and no taping conditions. Ankle eversion taping significantly reduced (p < 0.05) H-H base support compared to the no taping condition.

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that the application of ankle eversion taping that uses kinesiology tape instantly increased the gait ability of chronic stroke patients with foot drop. However, more research is necessary to identify the long-term effects of the ankle eversion taping.

via Immediate effects of ankle eversion taping on gait ability of chronic stroke patients. – PubMed – NCBI

[ARTICLE] Immediate effects of ankle eversion taping on dynamic and static balance of chronic stroke patients with foot drop – Full Text PDF

Abstract

[Purpose] This study evaluates the immediate effect of ankle eversion taping on dynamic and static balance of chronic stroke patients with foot drop.

[Subjects and Methods] This study was conducted with nine subjects who were diagnosed with stroke. A cross-over randomized design was used. Each subject performed three interventions in a random order. Subjects were randomly assigned to an ankle everion taping, placebo taping, and no
taping. For dynamic and static balance, ability was measured using BIO Rescue. Limit of stability, sway length and sway speed for one minute were measured. [Results] The Limit of Stability, Sway length and Sway speed differed significantly among the three different taping methods.

[Conclusion] We conclude that ankle eversion taping that uses kinesiology tape instantly increases the dynamic and static balance ability of chronic stroke patients with foot drop.

INTRODUCTION
Generally, stroke patients have severe disabilities such as hemiplegia, abnormal walking, and reduced balance ability. In particular, the decrease of balance ability causes a lot of difficulty in performing activities of daily living, and in severe cases, stroke patients may be exposed to the risk of falling2) . Therefore, restoration of balance ability is one of the most important clinical goals in the rehabilitation of stroke patients3) . Generally, lack of balance ability is caused by various causes, such as spasticity4) , muscle strength weakness4) , and hemiplegia5) , but foot drop, which is caused by stiffness of plantar flexors, weakness of dorsiflexors, and increased spasticity, is one of the most important causes6) . Therefore, foot drop treatment is often a common approach used to restore balance ability clinically, and the most representative treatments are the Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)7).  Recently, a robotic device8) is used to correct foot drop in some cases, but the three treatment methods mentioned above (FES, AFO, and a robotic device) are expensive, inconvenient to carry, and not aesthetically good in appearance.

To overcome these drawbacks, taping that is easily applicable and inexpensive is widely used as an alternative treatment method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects of application of ankle eversion taping using kinesiology tapes on the dynamic and static balance of patients with foot drop after stroke. […]

Full Text PDF