title: Neuromuscular taping versus sham therapy on muscular strength and motor performance in multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Purpose of this study is to evaluate differences in leg muscles strength and motor performance between neuromuscular taping (NT) and sham tape groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relapsing-remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were recruited and randomly assigned to NT or sham tape groups. All patients underwent the treatment 5 times at 5-d intervals. They were submitted to a 6-minute walk test and isokinetic test (peak torque) at the beginning (T0), at the end (T1) and 2 months after the end of the treatment (T2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty MS patients (38 F; 2 M; mean age 45.5 ± 6.5 years) were assigned to NT group (n = 20) and to sham tape group (n = 20). Delta Peak Torque T1-T0 and T2-T0 between two groups were statistically significant in quadriceps (p = 0.007; 0.000) and hamstrings (p = 0.011; 0.007). The difference between the two groups according to 6-minute walk test was not statistically significant but in NT group it was noticed an increasing trend about the distance run.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, NT seemed to increase strength in leg muscles, compared to a sham device, in RR MS patients. Further studies are needed to consider this therapy as a complement to classic physical therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuromuscular taping (NT) in multiple sclerosis: NT is well tolerated by multiple sclerosis patients and should be a complement to classic physical therapy. This technique normalizes muscular function, strengthens weakened muscles and assists the postural alignment.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical , Biotechnological and Traslational Sciences and.
authors.forename: Cosimo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costantino
authors.affiliation: b Graduate School of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Parma , Parma , Italy.
authors.forename: Martina Francesca
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Pedrini
authors.affiliation: b Graduate School of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Parma , Parma , Italy.
authors.forename: Oriana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Licari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D053832:Surgical Tape
keywords: Motor performance; multiple sclerosis; muscle strength; neuromuscular taping