Effect of inhibitory kinesiotaping on spasticity in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled pilot trial

There is no consensus regarding the positive effect of kinesiotaping (KT) on spasticity. All previous studies have measured spasticity by Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) scale which is a subjective clinical assessment.

To investigate the effect of inhibitory KT on the spasticity of plantar flexor muscles using both Hoffmann-reflex (H-reflex) and MAS scale. H-reflex is a neurophysiological technique that objectively evaluates spasticity by reflecting the excitability of motor neurons.

Thirty patients were randomly assigned into inhibitory KT (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The inhibitory KT group received KT from insertion to the origin of gastrocsoleus muscle . Spasticity was assessed at baseline and 30 min and 48 h after taping by H-reflex and MAS scale. The control group received no taping and spasticity was assessed at baseline and 30 min and 48 h after the baseline.

There was a significant time × group effect for the maximal peak-to-peak amplitude of the H_max/M_max ratio (p = .007), indicating that H_max/M_max ratio decreased significantly after 48 h in the inhibitory KT in comparison with the baseline (P = .001) and 30 min after-intervention (p = .002); meanwhile, it did not change significantly in the control group (P > .05). However, none of the groups showed a statistically significant change in MAS score (P > .05).

Application of inhibitory KT was found to be able to reduce the H_max/M_max ratio in patients with stroke. As a result, inhibitory KT could have beneficial effects on spasticity.