Comparison of the Effects of Elastic and Rigid Taping on Gross Motor Function, Balance, and Functional Capacity in...

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Neurology

Background:

• Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) significantly impacts children's gross motor function, balance, and functional capacity.
• Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of management, with adjunct therapies explored to enhance outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of Kinesio taping (KT) and rigid taping (RT) as adjuncts to physiotherapy in children with HCP.
• To evaluate the impact of KT and RT on gross motor function, balance, and functional capacity.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, single-blinded trial involving 52 children (aged 7-16) with HCP.
• Standardized assessments included the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBBS), Time-Up-and-Go (TUG), and 2-Minute Walk Test (2-MWT).

Main Results:

• Both KT and RT groups demonstrated significant intra-group improvements across all outcome measures (GMFM, PBBS, TUG, 2-MWT; p ≤ 0.001).
• While nonparametric analysis hinted at greater improvements with KT for TUG and 2-MWT, adjusted statistical models revealed no significant inter-group differences between KT and RT.
• Specifically, adjusted p-values for 2-MWT and TUG were 0.29 and 0.087, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Kinesio taping and rigid taping are equally effective adjuncts to physiotherapy for improving gross motor function, balance, and functional capacity in children with HCP.
• The selection between KT and RT should be based on clinical considerations such as patient tolerance and specific therapeutic objectives, rather than perceived differences in efficacy.