title: Effects of Lower-Leg Kinesiology Taping on Balance Ability in Stroke Patients with Foot Drop.
abstract: Objective. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of lower-leg kinesiology taping on balance ability in stroke patients with foot drop. Design. Randomized controlled trial study. Method. Thirty stroke patients with foot drop were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group underwent kinesiology taping, and the control group underwent placebo taping. Balance ability was assessed before and after taping in both groups. Results. No difference was observed over time in the Berg Balance Scale score between the two groups, and a significant difference in the Berg Balance Scale score was observed only in the experimental group. Additionally, there were significant differences in the center of pressure area and limits of stability over time. Conclusion. Kinesiology taping temporarily improved static balance ability in stroke patients. However, its effect on dynamic balance was not verified. Therefore, further research on the influence of long-term kinesiology taping on dynamic balance and gait ability is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 135-710, Republic of Korea ; Department of Physical Therapy, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX 76909, USA.
authors.forename: Young-Hyeon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Hallym University, Seoul 200-702, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeong Geun
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
authors.forename: Kyung Sam
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Suk Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee