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Updated: Apr 14, 2026
Adapted Resistance Training Improves Strength in Eight Weeks in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: January 29, 2016
Neuromuscular taping versus sham therapy on muscular strength and motor performance in multiple sclerosis patients
Cosimo Costantino1, Martina Francesca Pedrini2, Oriana Licari2
1a Department of Biomedical , Biotechnological and Traslational Sciences and.
Purpose:
Purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in leg muscles strength and motor performance between neuromuscular taping (NT) and sham tape groups.
Method:
Relapsing-remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were recruited and randomly assigned to NT or sham tape groups. All patients underwent the treatment 5 times at 5-d intervals. They were submitted to a 6-minute walk test and isokinetic test (peak torque) at the beginning (T0), at the end (T1) and 2 months after the end of the treatment (T2).
Results:
Forty MS patients (38 F; 2 M; mean age 45.5 ± 6.5 years) were assigned to NT group (n = 20) and to sham tape group (n = 20). Delta Peak Torque T1-T0 and T2-T0 between two groups were statistically significant in quadriceps (p = 0.007; 0.000) and hamstrings (p = 0.011; 0.007). The difference between the two groups according to 6-minute walk test was not statistically significant but in NT group it was noticed an increasing trend about the distance run.
Conclusions:
In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, NT seemed to increase strength in leg muscles, compared to a sham device, in RR MS patients. Further studies are needed to consider this therapy as a complement to classic physical therapy.
Implications For Rehabilitation:
Neuromuscular taping (NT) in multiple sclerosis: NT is well tolerated by multiple sclerosis patients and should be a complement to classic physical therapy. This technique normalizes muscular function, strengthens weakened muscles and assists the postural alignment.
