Effects of kinesiology taping on trunk function, balance, and mobility in stroke patients: a pilot feasibility study.
Ling-Yi Liao, Xiao-Hua He, Xi-Ze Li and 2 others
PMID 32581426WHAT IT FOUND
In 13 people after stroke, trunk taping applied just before testing was followed by higher total trunk function and dynamic sitting balance scores; directional control improved, but mobility and other balance measures did not.
Key findings
01The total Trunk Impairment Scale score, out of 23, increased significantly after trunk taping (p=0.024, 95% CI 1.80 to 3.87).
02The dynamic sitting balance subscale increased significantly after trunk taping (p=0.024, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.66).
03Directional control of standing balance improved by 13.69% after trunk taping (p=0.010, 95% CI 5.02 to 22.36), but mobility and other standing balance parameters did not change significantly.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
This was a single-group pilot with 13 participants, so there was no control group for comparison. The tape was applied only immediately before and after re-evaluation, so it cannot show lasting effects. Participants were subacute stroke patients who could already stand for 30 seconds and had a mental state score above 21/30, so the results may not apply to more severely impaired patients. The authors state that limitations include short duration of taping, small sample size, and lack of control group.
Declared interests
This work was supported by provincial research programs in Sichuan. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that trunk taping improves stroke recovery. This was a 13-person single-group pilot with no control group, and the tests were done immediately after tape application, so it cannot show that the tape caused the changes.