Background: Treadmill training is an effective intervention method for improving the walking ability of stroke patients, and taping is effective for stabilizing joints. However, taping interventions have not been implemented during treadmill training. Objectives: To examine whether treadmill training with an elastic tape or treadmill training with a non-elastic tape could be more effective in stroke patients. Design: A single blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study. Methods: 22 stroke patients were randomly allocated to two groups: the elastic group (treadmill gait training with ankle elastic tape on the paretic side) or the non-elastic group (treadmill gait training with non-elastic tape on the paretic side). All participants performed 60 min of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy and treadmill training with an elastic tape or non-elastic tape for 20 min. Results: 10-meter walk test and timed up-and-go test results after training differed significantly from baseline in both groups (P<.05), but significantly larger gains were observed in the elastic group (10-meter walk test, -17.1%; timed up-and-go test, -18.49%; P<.05, respectively). Conclusion: Treadmill gait training with elastic tape on the affected ankle joint might be more effective at improving the walking and balancing abilities of stroke patients.

INTRODUCTION
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
    Participants
    Intervention
    Outcome Measures
    Data and Statistical Analysis
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

• Yeongjin Gill(PT, MS, Department of Physical Therapy, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea)
• Taewoo Kim(PT, MS, Department of Physical Therapy, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea)
• Sangyoung Park(PT, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, Uiduk University, Kyoungju, Republic of Korea)
• Yongjun Cha(PT, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, Uiduk University, Kyoungju, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author