2-dimensional analysis of low limb taping methods on ambulation for stroke patients.
Jung-Ho Lee
PMID 28626335WHAT IT FOUND
Stroke patients who had Kinesio or McConnell taping plus PNF had longer affected-side stride length than those who had PNF alone.
Taping was added to therapy, so its separate effect cannot be known.
Key findings
01Both taping groups, when combined with PNF, had significantly longer affected-side stride length than the PNF-only group at 4 and 8 weeks.
02Ankle angle showed a significant between-group difference at 4 weeks.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 10 patients were in each group. The paper does not describe random allocation or blinding. All groups received PNF, so the effect of taping alone cannot be separated. The follow-up was only at 4 and 8 weeks. Participants had to have stroke within 6 months, a Mini Mental State Examination-Korea score of 21 more, and a Modified Ashworth scale of 2 less, so the results may not apply to more impaired patients. The ankle angle reporting is inconsistent between the Results and the Discussion.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that taping alone improves stroke walking. The taping groups also received PNF, and the paper does not show how patients were assigned or blinded, so the taping effect cannot be separated from the therapy.