Kinesio Taping for Balance Function after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Balance impairment after stroke presents a significant global health challenge.
• Kinesio taping (KT) is increasingly used in clinical practice for stroke rehabilitation, but its efficacy requires confirmation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Kinesio taping (KT) for improving balance in patients following a stroke.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted.
• Searched multiple English and Chinese databases up to December 2018 for RCTs on KT for stroke-related balance impairment.
• Included 22 RCTs with 1331 patients, comparing KT with conventional rehabilitation (CR).

Main Results:

• Meta-analysis revealed significant improvements with KT compared to CR in Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), functional ambulation category (FAC), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-L), and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS).
• Subgroup analysis indicated that treatment durations exceeding 4 weeks showed significant benefits, whereas durations of 4 weeks or less did not.
• No adverse events were reported, suggesting KT is a safe intervention.

Conclusions:

• Kinesio taping (KT) is more effective than conventional rehabilitation (CR) for enhancing balance, lower limb, and walking function in post-stroke patients.
• Longer treatment durations appear to be associated with greater therapeutic effects.
• Further high-quality RCTs are recommended to solidify these findings.