Taping Therapy Simultaneously applied to the Ankle and Hip Joint: Effect on Balance and Gait in Patients with Chronic Stroke

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the effects of taping therapy on the balance and gait of stroke patients. Methods: The subjects of this study were 30 stroke patients. The treatment groups were prescribed a combination of taping, therapy applied simultaneously to the ankle and the hip joint, and general physical therapy twice a day for 30 min each, five days per week for 4 weeks for a total of 40 times. The control group was treated with general physical therapy for 30min, 5 times per week for 4 weeks, and total 40 times. All subjects were followed up on a Berg balance scale, timed up and go test, activity-specific balance confidence scale, and GaitRite. Results: The group that simultaneously received taping therapy to the ankle and hip joint showed more significant effects than the group treated with ankle joint taping only (p<0.05). Effects were noted in the Berg balance scale, timed up and go test, activity-specific balance confidence scale and gait ability test. Compared to the control group, the group treated at the ankle and hip joint showed significant effects after the experiment in the Berg balance scale, timed up and go test, activity-specific balance confidence scale, and gait ability test (p<0.05). Conclusion: Taping therapy applied to both the ankle and hip joints, and combined with general physical therapy appears to be effective in patients with chronic stroke who have an impaired balance and gait ability.