Immediate effects of talus-stabilizing taping on balance and gait parameters in patients with chronic stroke: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground: Talus-stabilizing taping (TST) may improve ankle range of motion and gait performance by providing a posterior–inferior talar glide in a closed-chain dorsiflexion position.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of TST on balance and gait parameters in patients with chronic stroke.Methods: Twenty post-stroke patients participated in this study. Each participant performed tests under three conditions (TST, barefoot, and conventional ankle-foot orthosis [AFO]), in random order. Before testing, the patients walked for 10 min under the three conditions, followed by a 5 min rest period. The outcome measures were static balance ability (SBA), timed up-and-go (TUG) test results, and gait parameters evaluated using a 6-m-long gait mat. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine the difference in balance and gait parameters under the three conditions.Results: SBA more significantly improved in the TST condition than in the barefoot condition. SBA more significantly improved in the conventional AFO condition than in the barefoot condition. The TUG test results more significantly improved in the TST condition than in the conventional AFO and barefoot conditions. Walking speed, cadence, and affected side and unaffected side step and stride lengths more significantly improved in the TST condition than in the conventional AFO and barefoot conditions.Conclusions: This study used a cross-sectional method and demonstrated that TST improves SBA, TUG, gait speed, cadence, step length, and stride length in patients with chronic stroke.