Immediate Effect of Lower-Leg Kinesio Taping on Ankle Dorsiflexion and Gait Parameters in Chronic Stroke with Foot

Objective: Kinesio taping (KT) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) are interventions mainly used in clinical settings to improve gait after stroke. Lower-leg KT using the concept of PNF (PNF-KT) has been shown to enhance the recovery of gait speed in patients with stroke. But, the effect of PNF-KT on the ankle movement and gait parameters in stroke patients is unclear. We aimed to investigate the immediate effects of PNF-KT on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) and gait parameters in patients with stroke with foot drop. Materials and methods: For the A-KT condition, tape was attached to the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles, and tape for eversion was attached. In the PNF-KT condition, tape was attached to the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis and digitorum muscles. Ankle movement was measured as the ankle DF-ROM using an iSEN system. Gait ability was assessed using the GAITRite system. The measured gait variables were gait velocity, cadence, and step length (both sides). Results: A-KT and PNF-KT significantly improved the ankle DF-ROM, gait velocity, cadence, and the affected and unaffected-side step length compared to that with no taping. Moreover, PNFKT significantly increased the ankle DF-ROM, gait velocity, cadence, and the affected-and unaffected-side step length compared to that with A-KT. Conclusions: PNF-KT applied to the affect side improved ankle DF-ROM and gait parameters in hemiplegic stroke patients than no taping, A-KT. Lower-leg PNF-KT may be a useful intervention in a rehabilitation program to improve ankle DF-ROM and gait parameters in chronic stroke patients with foot drop in clinical settings.