Immediate and Short-term Effect of Quadriceps Kinesio-Taping on Postural Sway in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Before-After Trial

Abstract

Background: Kinesio-Tape (KT) is a common method used in rehabilitation, but the KT short-term therapeutic effects on children with cerebral palsy (CP) are unclear yet. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the short-term and immediate effects of KT on postural sway in children with CP. Methods: In this before- and after-study, 27 children aged between 4 and 11 years old with spastic CP were included. Immediate and short-term effects of KT on Quadriceps muscle (QcM) were then assessed using time-up and go test (TUG) and COP (center of pressure) displacement in five assessments. Results: The results of Repeated Measure Analysis show that the short-term use of KT on QcM could reduce COP displacement in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions and improve the balance among children with CP (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The immediate effects of KT on the QcM did not change the COP’s displacement and balance. It was demonstrated that the short-term use of KT in QcM could improve the balance of COP and reduce its displacement.

The Effect of Kinesio Taping Over the Gluteal Muscles on Activity and Participation in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Study

“…Regarding the immediate-term effects of KT on balance in children with CP, Özmen et al and Ahmadizadeh et al reported a significant increase in balance scores 48 and 72 hours after KT application compared to baseline (15,16). In a study investigating the medium-term effects of KT on balance, Tabatabaee et al reported that the balance significantly improved compared to the control group (18).…”

“…Given that sensory feedback, especially proprioceptive, is a prerequisite for appropriate motor responses (14), it is assumed that KT application (which provides afferent input by continuously stimulating cutaneous mechanoreceptors and thus allows the central nervous system to receive more sensory input, can result in an improvement in muscle function and movement (13). In a study investigating the immediate-term effects of KT on the quadriceps muscle in children with CP, it was reported that there was a significant improvement in balance and functional mobility (15). Özmen et al found that KT applied over the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles improved gait performance, functional mobility, and balance in the immediate term (16).…”