Background: Stroke patients experience a variety of physical problems due to neurological problems, including difficulties with trunk control. Trunk taping is used to improve gait in stroke patients. Objectives: To investigated the immediate effect of thoracic and abdominal elastic taping on gait parameters (the dynamic balance and gait speed) in stroke patients. Design: Quasi experimental study. Methods: A total of 24 study subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (thoracic and abdominal taping, 12 people), and the control group (sham taping, 12 people). All subjects had timed up and go (TUG) test and 10 meter walk test (10MWT) measured before and after taping. Results: After taping, the TUG test and 10MWT results were significantly reduced only in the study group (P<.05). The TUG test and 10MWT results of the study group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Conclusion: The thoracic and abdominal taping was found to improve trunk control in stroke patients, thereby improving dynamic balance and walking speed.

Background: Postural control deficit is a major characteristic in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Elastic ankle tapings are commonly used to facilitate postural control in patients with CAI as well as prevent relapse of a lateral ankle sprain. However, equivocal evidence exists concerning the effect of elastic ankle taping on postural control. Objects: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of elastic ankle tapings using kinesio taping (KT) and dynamic taping (DT) on static and dynamic postural control in patients with CAI. Methods: Fifteen subjects with CAI were participated in this study. The participants performed tests under three conditions (barefoot, KT, and DT). Static postural control was evaluated using the one-leg standing test (OLST) and dynamic postural control using the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare center of pressure (CoP) data and normalized mSEBT reach distances among the three conditions (with α = 0.05). Results: The CoP parameters (path length, ellipse area, and mean velocity) of the OLST significantly decreased on applying KT and DT compared with those when barefoot. The normalized reach distances in the anteromedial (AM), medial (M), and posteromedial (PM) directions of the mSEBT significantly increased with DT compared to that in the control condition. Further, the higher reach distances with KT compared with those in the control condition were obtained in the M and PM directions of the mSEBT. No significant differences were identified in any of the OLST and SEBT parameters between the two different taping applications. Conclusion: KT and DT improved static postural control during the OLST compared with the control condition. Moreover, these tapes improved dynamic postural control during the mSEBT compared to the control. Therefore, elastic ankle tapings are useful prophylactic devices for the prevention and treatment of ankle sprain in people with CAI.

Stroke can cause leg weakness, sensory abnormalities, and balance disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of elastic taping on postural sway in patients with stroke. This study randomly applied elastic taping to 20 patients with stroke in two ways. The center of pressure (COP) distribution was measured before and after the elastic taping. The measurement variables were COP area and length, and measurements were performed immediately after taping. The elastic taping on tibialis anterior muscle showed a significant decrease in COP area and length compared to that without elastic taping. The elastic taping on gastrocnemius muscles showed a significant decrease in COP area and length compared to that without elastic taping. There was no significant difference in COP area and length between the elastic taping on tibialis anterior muscle and gastrocnemius muscles. Our results suggested that applying elastic taping on the ankle joints is effective in decreasing postural sway after in patients with stroke.

Background: In the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, the goals of traditional physical therapy are not only to reduce the inflammatory process leading to pain, but also to decrease joint overload and muscle hyperactivity. To achieve those goals, physical therapists generally use a photo-therapy, joint mobilization, and massage. Objects: To examine the impact of an unloading technique using non-elastic taping on the pain, opening mouth, functional level, and quality of life in patients with TMJ disorder. Method: Twenty patients with TMJ disorder were included in this study and randomly divided into the experimental (n1=10), and control (n2=10) groups. Traditional physical therapy including massage and stretching for 30 min was performed in both groups. Non-elastic taping was performed in the experimental group after traditional physical therapy, and they were recommended to keep the tape attached for 12 hours. Outcomes for pain, functional level, and quality of life were measured using a survey. The opening mouth was measured using a general ruler. Result: Significant differences were observed in the pain level, opening mouth, functional level, and quality of life after the intervention and on follow-up in both groups. However, we found that while the levels of all parameters were maintained throughout the follow-up period in the experimental group, the functional status level was not maintained throughout the follow-up period in the control group. Conclusion: Our unloading technique using non-elastic tape results comparable to those achieved by traditional physical therapy in the treatment of TMJ. However, the unloading taping method using non-elastic tape is more effective than traditional physical therapy in maintaining the impact of intervention

The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate the effects of tape application on improving body conditions. The search strategy for this review included a literature search by members of the International Kinematic Academy in 12 countries between January 2014 and February 2015 using PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Google Scholar, websites and national journals. The search words included“Kinesiotape, Kinesio tape, kinesiotaping, elastic taping, taping, functional taping, myofascial taping, sensomotor taping”. The review included all articles, even those published in different languages. These searches resulted in 821 publications. There are several effects of tape application were revealed such as improving blood circulation, lymphatic circulation, body range of motion, activation of mechanoreceptor and joint stability, and decreasing pain. No one negative about the positive effects of taping, however the more effort is required to find evidence of effects of tape application.

Grip strength is an objective indicator for evaluating the functional movement of upper extremities. Therapists have been using it for a long time as an excellent barometer for evaluating the therapy process, therapeutic effects and prognosis of patients with injuries in upper extremities. This study investigated the effects of extensor pattern position and elastic taping of non-dominant hand on the grip strength of dominant hand among general adults. The subjects of this study were 23 males and 7 females from physical therapy departments of 3 Universities located in Busan who agreed to participate in the experiment and the resultant data were analyzed using SPSS version 12.0. The results of the study were as follows. First, there was a significant difference between the grip strength of dominant hand when the non-dominant hand was at the neutral position and that when the non-dominant hand was at the extensor pattern position and both hands were at the maximum strength simultaneously (Bonferroni-corrected p<.001). Second, there was a significant difference between the grip strength of dominant hand when the non-dominant hand was at the neutral position and that when the elastic taping of non-dominant hand was applied (Bonferroni-corrected p<.001). Third, there was no significant difference between the grip strength of dominant hand when the non-dominant hand was at the extensor pattern position and both hands were at the maximum strength simultaneously and that when the elastic taping of non-dominant hand was applied. The irradiation effects through the extensor pattern position of non-dominant hand and application of the elastic taping to non-dominant hand showed significant results in improving the maximum grip strength of dominant hand. This finding could be suggested as the probability for the indirect treatment of the upper extremities of hemiplegia and orthopedic patients due to the long-term fixing of upper extremities.