Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling
Published on: February 5, 2019
Application of Kinesio Taping method for newborn swallowing difficultly: A case report and literature review
Chien-Lin Lin1, Wei-Ting Wu, Ke-Vin Chang
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, China Medical University Hospital School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Community and Geriatric Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Bei-Hu Branch National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei Department of Medical Education, China Medical University Hospital Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Insights
Kinesio Taping (KT) improved sucking and swallowing difficulties in a preterm infant. This novel approach offers a potential rehabilitative strategy for infants with feeding impairments.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Rehabilitative therapies
Background:
- Preterm infants often experience feeding difficulties, including sucking and swallowing problems, due to immature neurobehavioral organization.
- Kinesio Taping (KT) is recognized for its applications in edema control, joint support, and proprioception, with potential to enhance muscle coordination through sensory input.
Observation:
- A preterm infant presented with delayed swallowing reflex, poor lip closure, and impaired rooting reflex, alongside jaw movement dysfunction.
- The infant experienced persistent swallowing difficulties until 40 weeks corrected gestational age.
Findings:
- Kinesio Taping application facilitated improved sucking function and lip closure in the infant.
- Following KT treatment, the infant demonstrated sufficient oral feeding, enabling discharge without nasogastric tube support.
Implications:
- Kinesio Taping shows promise as an effective rehabilitative intervention for improving oral motor functions in infants.
- This study suggests KT can be integrated into standard care for infants with sucking and swallowing impairments.
Background:
Preterm infants are at an increased risk of sucking problems, swallowing difficulty, and poor nourishment. During the neonatal period, the neurobehavioral organization of a preterm baby is poor compared with that of appropriate gestational age infants. Kinesio Taping has been widely used for edema control, joint protection, and proprioception training. With the help of augmentation of the sensory input for muscle facilitation and inhibition through tapping, the coordination of the target muscle groups can be improved. Until now, no research is available on the use of Kinesio Taping for the swallowing difficulty of infant.
Methods:
We reported a preterm infant suffering from brain edema at birth and swallowing difficultly until 40 weeks. The swallowing reflex was delayed. Moreover, lip closure and rooting reflex combined with the dysfunction grade of jaw movement were poor. We performed KT methods on the baby under the theory of the direction of the tape for facilitate or inhibit the muscle.
Result:
After the Kinesio Taping treatment, the sucking function was improved with good lip closure.One week later, the baby was discharged without the use of an oral gastric tube.
Conclusion:
Kinesio Taping contributed significantly to the improvement of impaired sucking and swallowing and could be implemented as a regular rehabilitative approach for infants suffering from these difficulties.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
01:26Enteral Nutrition I: Orogastric and Nasogastric Feeding
Orogastric (OG) and nasogastric (NG) feeding are two standard methods used for enteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition is often preferred over...