Background: Kinesiology taping (KT)’s therapeutic effect on dysphagia is insufficient, and method of KT application is not yet clear. Objectives: To review the considerations for the clinical application of KT for dysphagia rehabilitation. Design: A systematic review. Methods: The present study involved a systematic search of electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science) to identify relevant studies published on the use of KT for dysphagia rehabilitation between 2010 and 2020. Results: Four articles (on child dysphagia, adult dysphagia, and healthy adult) were selected. It was found that when KT was applied with 15% tension to the orbicularis oris, mylohyoid, sternohyoid, and masseter muscles in children with dysphagia, lip closure and sucking function were improved. In addition, when KT with 80% tension was applied below the hyolaryngeal complex in healthy adults, significant activation of the suprahyoid muscle was reported. Application of KT with 50% tension to the digastric posterior bellies and the mylohyoid, geniohyoid, sternocleidomastoid, and upper trapezius muscles in adults with dysphagia showed an immediate improvement in vertical excursion and epiglottis rotation of the hyoid bone. Finally, application of KT with 70% tension to the hyolaryngeal complex in adults with dysphagia showed increased thickness of the suprahyoid and the tongue muscles. Conclusion: The present review indicates that KT has significant potential as a therapeutic exercise method for patients with dysphagia in the future. However, the application of KT in such patients should take into account the shape, design, and degree of tension of the tape and the patient's capability and swallowing function.

Background: The chin tuck exercise is a therapeutic approach for improving swallowing function in patients with dysphagia. However, the clinical evidence of the effect is still lacking. Objectives: To investigate the effect of a multidirectional chin tuck exercise on swallowing function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Design: A two-group prospective study. Methods: In total, 14 patients with post-stroke dysphagia were enrolled and assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group performed the chin tuck exercise in the vertical and diagonal directions, whereas the control group performed the exercise only in the vertical direction. The intervention was performed 20 minutes a day, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks. Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale (VDS) and Penetration–Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores determined via a videofluoroscopic swallowing study were the outcome measures used for evaluating swallowing function. Results: Post-intervention, the experimental group exhibited significantly better improvement in the pharyngeal phase score of VDS and PAS score than the control group. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the multidirectional chin tuck exercise is more effective than the vertical chin tuck exercise in improving the swallowing function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.

Background: Motor imagery is the mental representation of an action without overt movement or muscle activation. However, few previous studies have demonstrated motor imagery training effects as an objective assessment tool in patients with early stroke. Objective: To investigate the effect of motor imagery training on Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP) and upper limb function of stroke patients. Design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: Twenty-four patients with stroke were enrolled in this study. All subjects were assigned to the experimental or control group. All participants received traditional occupational therapy for 30 minutes, 5 times a week. The experimental group performed an additional task of motor imagery training (MIT) 20 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Both groups were assessed using the SSEP amplitude, Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper extremity (FMA UE) and Wolf motor function test. Results: After the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvement in SSEP amplitude and FMA UE than did the control group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the MIT effectively improve the SSEP and upper limb function of stroke patients.

Background: Foot drop is a common symptom after stroke and causes walking disorders. Therefore, its proper treatment is important for improving the walking ability of patients with foot drop. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of electrostimulation during walking on the walking ability of patients with foot drop after stroke. Design: Quasi-experial study. Methods: The study enrolled 18 patients with foot drop after stroke. All subjects were assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group underwent electric stimulation during walking, while the control group used ankle foot orthoses. Both groups received treatment 20 minutes a day 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures were assessed for walking and balance ability using the 10-m walking test (10MWT), 6-min walking test (6MWT), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) Results: After the intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in 6MWT and TUG results. However, the experimental group showed significantly better improvement on all tests than the control group. Conclusion: The foot drop stimulator effectively improved the walking and balance ability of patients with foot drop after stroke.